M’Baye Niang scores dramatic winner against Roma to save Empoli from relegation

M’Baye Niang saved Empoli from relegation with the dramatic stoppage-time winner in their 2-1 victory over Roma.

Davide Nicola’s side entered the evening in 18th needed a positive result to avoid relegation or the possibility of a tie-breaking play-off.

Matteo Cancellieri opened the scoring with his 13th-minute strike before Houssem Aouar equalised in the first minute of added time before the half-time.

NIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANG pic.twitter.com/jpfxOG8ObE

— Empoli Football Club Official (@EmpoliFC) May 26, 2024

The sides remained level until Cancellieri turned provider, rolling the pivotal pass for Niang to apply the season-salvaging finish in the third minute of stoppage time.

It ensured they finished one point clear of Frosinone, who were relegated after a 1-0 loss to Udinese, who started the day 17th place but concluded the campaign two places higher. Former Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis scored the only goal.

Serie A champions Inter Milan could only add a single point to their tally after a would-be last-gasp winner was chalked off in their 2-2 draw at Hellas Verona in their final game of the campaign.

Marko Arnautovic saw his 10th-minute opener cancelled out by Tijjani Noslin six minutes later for the hosts, who on Monday secured safety and ultimately finished 13th.

Our season ends with a draw