Napoli starting XI (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic, Beukema, Rrahmani, Jesus, Mazzocchi (subbed for Politano), Lobotka, Elmas, Olivera (subbed for Spinazzola), Giovane (subbed for Alisson Santos), Vergara (subbed for Gutierrez), Hojlund (subbed for Lukaku)

Bench: Meret, Contini, Prisco, De Chiara, Buongiorno

Goals: Vergara 46’

Como starting XI (4-2-3-1): Butez, Smolcic, Carlos, Ramon (subbed for Kempf), Valle, Perrone, Sergi Roberto (subbed for Da Cunha), Addai (subbed for Jesus Rodriguez), Caqueret (subbed for Douvikas), Baturina, Paz (subbed for Vojvoda)

Bench: Tornqvist, Vigorito, Van Der Brempt, Moreno, Lahdo, Pisati, Kuhn, Morata

Goals: Baturina 39’ (Pen)

The decisive moment from the spot came with Stanislav Lobotka’s miss, his effort saved by Jean Butez. Earlier in the shootout, Romelu Lukaku also failed to convert for Napoli, while Perrone missed for Como.

The match itself was evenly balanced. Como enjoyed the upper hand in the first half, using their midfield control to dictate play, while Napoli came out stronger after the break, forced to respond after falling behind to a penalty converted by Baturina.

In the opening half, the Lombard side took advantage of Napoli’s lack of aggression in midfield, repeatedly finding space through central runs that troubled the Azzurri defence.

It was a tactical approach not unlike Napoli’s own, though Giovane and Antonio Vergara were more focused on supporting the midfield than pushing forward to assist Rasmus Højlund.

As a result, the striker was largely fed by balls over the top, often from the defenders or even directly from Milinković-Savić.

Como’s opening goal came from an attack down the left. Alex Valle delivered a cross into the box and, as Ivan Smolčić moved to meet it ahead of Juan Jesus and Mathias Olivera, the Uruguayan defender clipped the Croatian’s leg.

Referee Manganiello pointed to the spot, and Baturina converted with a well-placed, angled finish.

Napoli responded when Højlund latched onto a long ball from Vanja Milinković-Savić and was brought down on the edge of the penalty area by Jacobo Ramon.

The referee issued only a yellow card, a decision upheld after a VAR check ruled out a straight red for denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Less than a minute into the second half, Napoli found the equaliser. Højlund slipped Vergara through on goal and the forward beat Butez with a low, precise finish.

Soon after, at the four-minute mark, Ramon again fouled Højlund as he prepared to shoot from the edge of the area. Once more, the referee kept his cards in his pocket, sparking angry protests from the Napoli bench. Fàbregas reacted immediately, replacing Ramon with Kempf.

With the score still locked at 1–1, the match went to penalties, where Como held their nerve to secure victory and book a semi-final clash with Inter.

ANSA