Roma secured a 4-2 victory over Cagliari at the Olimpico.

The Serie A encounter between AS Roma and Cagliari unfolded on 27 October 2026 under the lights of the Olimpico in Rome. Both sides entered the match looking to claim three points, and the game delivered an entertaining mix of early drama and late goals.

How it unfolded

The opening stages saw Cagliari take the lead in the 10th minute when M'Bala Nzola converted a penalty with a left-footed strike to the bottom right corner. Roma responded quickly, and just five minutes later Emanuele Lulli headed home from Nahuel Molina’s cross to level the score. The momentum continued for the home side, and at the 21st minute Niccolò Pisilli added his name to the scoresheet with a right-footed shot from the centre of the box, assisted by Lulli’s cross, putting Roma ahead 2-1.

The dead-lock was broken again in the 81st minute when Daniel Maldini restored parity for Cagliari, finishing a through ball from Adam Obert with a left-footed finish from the centre of the box. Roma, however, reclaimed the lead four minutes later as Rodrigo Mora headed in from a Daniele Ghilardi cross, sending the home crowd into raptures at 3-2. The final blow came in the 87th minute when Donyell Malen tapped a very close-range right-footed shot into the bottom left corner, sealing a 4-2 win for the hosts.

The match concluded with a late booking: Juan Rodríguez of Cagliari received a yellow card in stoppage time for a bad foul.

Standout performers

  • Emanuele Lulli – Scored the equaliser with a well-timed header and provided the assist for Niccolò Pisilli’s goal.
  • Niccolò Pisilli – Added the second Roma goal, finishing from the centre of the box after Lulli’s cross.
  • Rodrigo Mora – Netted the third Roma goal with a precise header from Daniele Ghilardi’s delivery.
  • Donyell Malen – Closed the scoring with a close-range finish to secure the win.
  • M'Bala Nzola – Scored Cagliari’s opening penalty.
  • Daniel Maldini – Pulled one back for Cagliari with a well-placed shot after Adam Obert’s assist.

Match facts

  • Final score: AS Roma 4-2 Cagliari
  • Scorers:
    • 10' M'Bala Nzola (Cagliari) – penalty
    • 15' Emanuele Lulli (Roma) – assisted by Nahuel Molina
    • 21' Niccolò Pisilli (Roma) – assisted by Emanuele Lulli
    • 81' Daniel Maldini (Cagliari) – assisted by Adam Obert
    • 85' Rodrigo Mora (Roma) – assisted by Daniele Ghilardi
    • 87' Donyell Malen (Roma)
  • Bookings: Juan Rodríguez (Cagliari) – yellow card, 90'+4'
  • Venue: Olimpico, Roma

What it means

The result gives AS Roma three points from the Serie A fixture, while Cagliari leave the match with two points conceded, reflecting the impact of Roma’s attacking efficiency after conceding an early penalty.