Como dramatically secured a Champions League spot after a resounding victory over Cremonese.

Lucas Da Cunha scored a brace to help Como beat Cremonese 4-1 in Serie A's 38th round. This result secured Como a place in the Champions League, while Cremonese were relegated after a season back in Italy's top flight.

Como secured the most important victory of the season.

Como entered their final match of the season with a slim but real hope of securing a top-four finish in Serie A. They needed to settle their own affairs against Cremonese while simultaneously hoping AC Milan would slip up against Cagliari to claim the final Champions League qualification spot.

Conversely, Cremonese are under immense pressure in their fight against relegation. With Lecce taking an early lead against Genoa, the home team at Giovanni Zini Stadium is forced to play even more proactively, as an unfavorable result could directly relegate them to Serie B.

The game started off rather slowly. Como, despite having one of the highest shot-on-target rates in the league before the final round, started rather slowly and didn't create much pressure in the first 15 minutes.

Cremonese needed a goal, but Marco Giampaolo's team lacked sharpness in the opponent's half. Having to attack under pressure meant their attacking moves lacked the necessary clarity.

The turning point came at the end of the first half. Jesus Rodriguez unleashed a shot that didn't seem particularly dangerous, but the ball deflected off Alberto Grassi's thigh, changing direction and leaving goalkeeper Emil Audero helpless as he watched the ball roll into the net. The opening goal helped Como overcome his psychological pressure.

In the second half, the visitors quickly doubled their lead. Rodriguez continued to make his mark by switching roles from goalscorer to assist provider, setting up Anastasios Douvikas to finish from inside the penalty area, making the score 2-0.

Cremonese seemed to have found hope just minutes later. Jacobo Ramon fouled Jamie Vardy in the penalty area, and Federico Bonazzoli successfully converted the penalty, reducing the deficit to 1-2.

However, that faint glimmer of hope was quickly swept away by a series of unbelievable events. Referee Fabio Maresca awarded Como a penalty after a collision between Matteo Bianchetti and Douvikas, before the Cremonese lost their composure in their reactions to the decision. Alberto Grassi of the home team was sent off for reacting to the referee.

Fabregas wrote a fairy tale at Como.

Meanwhile, Lucas Da Cunha calmly converted a penalty to restore Como's two-goal lead. Not stopping there, the visiting captain completed his brace with a precise finish into the near post, sealing a meaningful 4-1 victory.

This result is all the more remarkable considering AC Milan unexpectedly lost 1-2 to Cagliari at home. Como seized the opportunity to claim fourth place, thus securing a Champions League spot just two years after being promoted to Serie A. This is clearly a fairytale story for this relatively unknown team.

For Cremonese, this defeat marks the end of their relegation battle. They had only won 8 out of 38 matches and were unable to save themselves on a day when they needed to show their mettle the most.

Final score: Cremonese 1-4 Como

Goal scorer:

Cremonese: Federico Bonazzoli (55')

Como: Jesus Rodriguez (36'), Anastasios Douvikas (51'), Lucas Da Cunha (71' pen, 81')

Red card: Cremonese: Alberto Grassi (71')

According to Football

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/dai-thang-cremonese-como-gianh-ve-du-champions-league-kich-tinh-a486636.html