Lazio Advance to Coppa Italia Final After Penalty Shootout Win Over Atalanta

Lazio will face Inter in the Coppa Italia final after goalkeeper Edoardo Motta’s penalty heroics secured a dramatic 2-1 shootout victory over Atalanta. The semi-final tie ended 3-3 on aggregate following a 1-1 draw at the New Balance Arena.

Atalanta appeared to take the lead just after the hour mark when Ederson tapped in after Nikola Krstovic dispossessed Motta, but VAR ruled the goalkeeper had both hands on the ball before the challenge. Lazio then struck against the run of play in the 84th minute, with Alessio Romagnoli volleying home from Mattia Zaccagni’s corner. However, Mario Pasalic leveled for Atalanta just two minutes later.

Motta made a crucial save from Gianluca Scamacca’s header in extra time, and a VAR review later denied Giacomo Raspadori a potential winner, sending the match to penalties. In the shootout, Motta saved four of Atalanta’s attempts, including efforts from Scamacca, Davide Zappacosta, Pasalic, and Charles de Ketelaere, as Lazio prevailed despite converting only two of their own spot-kicks.

Lazio, who last won the Coppa Italia seven years ago, reached the final despite being outplayed for much of the match. Atalanta dominated possession (66.2%) and registered 29 shots with an expected goals (xG) total of 2.11, compared to Lazio’s 0.78 from just eight attempts. La Dea also completed 830 passes, the highest tally by any team in a single match this Coppa Italia campaign.