Napoli's Serie A clash with Lazio descended into chaos on Sunday, culminating in a mass brawl and three red cards, but the reigning champions still emerged with a 2-0 victory at the Stadio Olimpico.
McTominay and Hojlund Feature in Napoli Victory
The match, played on Sunday afternoon, 4 January 2026, saw Napoli continue their strong form. Former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay played a key role, though he did not add to his season's tally of five goals. United loanee Rasmus Hojlund also started for Antonio Conte's side before being substituted in the 86th minute.
The goals that secured the three points came from Leonardo Spinazzola and Amir Rrahmani. This crucial win leaves Napoli in second place in the Serie A table, just one point behind leaders AC Milan, as they chase a third Scudetto in four years.
Late-Game Melee Sees Three Dismissed
The drama escalated in the closing minutes. A flashpoint between Lazio defender Adam Marusic and Napoli substitute Pasquale Mazzocchi sparked a full-scale confrontation involving players and staff from both teams.
Referee Davide Massa was forced to stop the game and intervene. Once order was restored, he showed red cards to both Marusic and Mazzocchi for their part in the incident. This compounded Lazio's misery, as midfielder Tijjani Noslin had already been sent off earlier in the second half after receiving two yellow cards.
Consequently, Lazio finished the match with only nine men on the pitch, compounding a disappointing result that leaves them ninth in the league standings.
Consequences and Speculation
The result has significant implications for the Serie A title race, solidifying Napoli's position as a chief contender. Lazio, meanwhile, must regroup ahead of their next fixture against Fiorentina on Wednesday night. Napoli host Verona on Thursday.
The performances of the Premier League exports have continued to generate headlines. Recent weeks have seen speculation that Manchester United could be interested in re-signing Scott McTominay following his impressive campaign in Italy. There are also suggestions that Rasmus Hojlund's loan move could become a permanent transfer next summer.
This fiery encounter will be remembered not just for the result, but for the chaotic scenes that overshadowed the final whistle, providing a stark reminder of the fierce rivalry and high stakes in Italy's top flight.
