Svilar & Soulé’s Spectacular Strike Secures Draw in Thrilling Derby della Capitale

The 162nd Serie A edition of the Derby della Capitale delivered high drama as AS Roma and Lazio battled to a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico. A stunning second-half strike from Matías Soulé salvaged a point for Roma, extending their unbeaten Serie A run to 16 matches (W11, D5). Meanwhile, Lazio missed a crucial opportunity to close the gap on the top four, leaving them three points adrift of Champions League qualification.

Match Recap: A Tale of Two Halves

Lazio entered the derby with just one win in their last six matches but started brightly. Alessio Romagnoli came close to scoring early on, only to be denied by an exceptional save from Roma’s goalkeeper Mile Svilar. The Serbian shot-stopper was pivotal in keeping Roma level during the first half, thwarting multiple efforts from Gustav Isaksen.Lazio’s persistence paid off just two minutes into the second half when Romagnoli clinically headed home Luca Pellegrini’s free-kick against his former club, sending the home fans into raptures. However, Roma responded with resilience. Gianluca Mancini nearly equalized with a header, but Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas made a vital save.The breakthrough for Roma came in the 69th minute when Matías Soulé curled a spectacular 25-yard strike into the top corner, leaving Mandas helpless. It was Soulé’s fourth goal of the season and arguably his most memorable yet. The match remained tense until the final whistle, with both sides pushing for a winner. Svilar was called into action again late on, denying Pedro Rodriguez to ensure Roma held on for a point.

Key Statistics

• Shots on Target: Lazio 5 | Roma 4
• Possession: Lazio 47% | Roma 53%
• Passes Completed: Lazio 342 | Roma 383
• Corners: Lazio 6 | Roma 5

Post-Match Comments

Claudio Ranieri, managing his final Derby della Capitale at age 73, praised his team’s character: “This was a tough match against a strong opponent, but we showed great determination. Soulé’s goal was magnificent—it reflects the quality and potential of this team. I’m proud of how we’ve performed throughout this unbeaten run.”Ranieri also highlighted Svilar’s contributions: “Mile kept us in the game with some crucial saves. He’s been outstanding and deserves credit for his performance.”

Marco Baroni, Lazio’s coach, expressed frustration at missed opportunities: “We dominated large parts of the game and created enough chances to win. Romagnoli’s goal was well-executed, but we lacked composure in front of goal when it mattered most.”Baroni added: “It’s disappointing not to secure three points in such an important match. We need to be more clinical if we want to reach our objectives.”

Off-Pitch Tensions

The derby atmosphere extended beyond the pitch as violent clashes erupted outside the Stadio Olimpico between police and ultras from both clubs. Thirteen police officers sustained injuries during attempts to control the crowd. Water cannons were deployed to restore order.

Implications for Serie A Standings

The draw leaves Lazio sixth in Serie A with 56 points, five behind Atalanta, who climbed into third after defeating Bologna earlier in the day. Roma remain seventh with 54 points but continue their impressive unbeaten streak in domestic competition.

With just six matches remaining, both teams face mounting pressure in their pursuit of European qualification. For Roma, their focus now shifts to maintaining consistency under Ranieri's experienced guidance, while Lazio must regroup quickly to keep their top-four hopes alive.

This enthralling derby showcased not only fierce competition but also moments of brilliance—most notably Soulé’s wonder strike—that will be etched into Derby della Capitale history.