Cagliari starting XI (4-3-1-2): Caprile, Zappa, Mina, Luperto, Obert (subbed for Idrissi), Adopo, Prati (subbed for Mazzitelli), Deiola (subbed for Gaetano), Folorunsho, Esposito (subbed for Luvumbo), Borrelli (subbed for Kilicsoy)

Bench: Ciocci, Iliev, Cavuoti, Felici, Di Pardo, Vinciguerra

Goals: Luperto 90+4’

Fiorentina starting XI (3-4-2-1): De Gea, Comuzzo (subbed for Marì), Pongracic, Ranieri (subbed for Viti), Dodo, Sohm, Fagioli, Gosens (subbed for Parisi), Ndour (subbed for Mandragora), Gudmundsson (subbed for Fazzini), Kean

Bench: Lezzerini, Martinelli, Kospo, Kouadio, Sabiri, Richardson, Fortini, Braschi, Dzeko

Goals: Mandragora 68’

La Viola looked set to begin their campaign on a high after Rolando Mandragora fired them ahead in the 67th minute, only for Sebastiano Luperto to deliver a stunning late leveller in the 94th minute that silenced the visitors and delighted the Sardinian faithful.

For much of the contest, Fiorentina enjoyed the bulk of possession, registering nearly 55 percent to Cagliari’s 45 percent, and peppered the opposition with an array of shots and set-piece pressure. Despite their territorial dominance, La Viola were unable to break through until Mandragora’s decisive effort early in the second half injected a spark into their play.

Cagliari, prodded by the setback, rallied with resilience and grit. Drawn back by home support, they forced Fiorentina onto the back foot, and were rewarded when Luperto rose in the dying seconds to nod in a dramatic equaliser at the death.

Fiorentina would have hoped to build momentum under returning manager Stefano Pioli, who was reappointed in July, but instead were left frustrated as their opener slipped away in the final heartbeat.

For Cagliari, the point offers a confidence-boosting start to the season. Holding Fiorentina to a draw despite ceding possession reflects a sturdy performance, and their supporters will relish the unexpected share of spoils.