Two goals by striker Victor Osimhen helped leaders Serie A Napoli to a comfortable 3-0 win over struggling Spezia on Sunday, condemning the hosts to a third consecutive defeat.
Winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia put Napoli in front from the penalty spot two minutes into the second half, after the ball struck defender Arkadiusz Reca’s arm inside the area.
Osimhen could have doubled the visitors’ lead in the 61st minute but his effort was ruled out for a foul on Spezia defender Mattia Caldara.
The Nigerian netted seven minutes later, however, with a close-range header following a mistake by Spezia defender Ethan Ampadu.
Another error by the Spezia defence gifted Osimhen the chance to make it 3-0 in the 73rd minute with his 16th league goal of the season, a personal record.
On Saturday, a second-half strike by forward Armand Lauriente gave Sassuolo a 1-0 win over nine-man Atalanta, ending the visitors’ unbeaten run in the Italian top-flight this calendar year. AS Roma won 2-0 at home against 10thplaced Empoli.
Pefok nets winner
Union Berlin moved back to the top of the Bundesliga after beating Mainz 2-1, days after their bold move to sign former Real Madrid star Isco Alarcón fell apart. Jordan Pefok scored late to fire Union two points clear of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Union, playing only their fourth season in Germany’s top-flight, led the Bundesliga for seven weeks earlier this season.
