Napoli secured a vital 2-0 win over Qarabag in Tuesday’s Champions League clash, with Scott McTominay’s header and a late own goal sealing the points against a determined visiting side.
Qarabag goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski delivered an outstanding performance, including a penalty save to deny Rasmus Hojlund, but his heroics ultimately weren’t enough.
The victory was a much-needed boost for Napoli, who had managed just one win in their first four matches.
Qarabag, however, made the hosts work hard throughout at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, matching them stride for stride in an intense opening phase.
Emmanuel Addai twice threatened from distance, while David Neres forced a brilliant acrobatic save from Kochalski to keep the first half goalless.
“We made too many mistakes early on, but that happens,” McTominay told Sky. “The second half was better—we really should have scored more.”
Qarabag stayed brave after the break, with Camilo Duran testing Vanja Milinkovic-Savic before they conceded a controversial penalty for a foul on Giovanni Di Lorenzo.
Hojlund stepped up, only for Kochalski to dive low and push away his effort with one hand.
Napoli increased the pressure and finally broke through in the 65th minute. After another Kochalski save led to a corner, a failed clearance bounced off a Qarabag defender, and McTominay reacted quickest to head home.
The Scottish midfielder was involved again moments later when his attempted overhead kick was deflected into the net by Marko Jankovic for an own goal, putting the game out of Qarabag’s reach.
The victory came on the fifth anniversary of Diego Maradona’s passing, and in the 10th minute, Napoli supporters paid tribute to their legendary No. 10 with scarves, banners, and chants filling the stadium.
“Incredible—the atmosphere here is iconic,” McTominay said. The midfielder, last season’s Serie A Player of the Year, reflected on Napoli’s ambitions, “We’ve achieved so many dreams already, but there are many more we want to bring to this club.”
Both teams now sit on seven points, with Qarabag provisionally 16th and Napoli 18th in the league phase standings.
