Fiorentina vs Benevento
The Coppa Italia returned to the spotlight on August 14, 2026, as Fiorentina and Benevento faced off in a highly anticipated knockout encounter. Fans at the stadium were treated to a match filled with tactical intensity and a flurry of offensive actions from the very first whistle.
Early Dominance from the Viola
Fiorentina wasted no time in asserting their authority on home turf. In just the 2nd minute, Albert Gudmundsson sent the crowd into a frenzy by nodding home a header from point-blank range. Despite the early setback, Benevento attempted to fight back, with Davide Lamesta testing the legendary David de Gea with several long-range efforts. However, the hosts doubled their advantage in the 35th minute when Moise Kean clinicaly finished a cross from João Mário, sending the Viola into the break with a commanding lead.
A Second Half Scoring Blitz
The momentum stayed firmly with the home side as the second half commenced. Within five minutes of the restart, the match was effectively put out of reach. First, Luca Ranieri rose highest to head home from a corner in the 48th minute, assisted by Radu Dragusin. Just two minutes later, Cher Ndour made it four with a precise left-footed strike into the bottom corner. Fiorentina's relentless pressure left the visitors struggling to find answers in a chaotic opening to the period.
Consolation and Professional Closing
Benevento did manage to find a spark of hope in the 54th minute when Davide Lamesta unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box to beat De Gea. The visitors introduced Simone Verdi and David Okereke in an attempt to claw further back into the game, but the Fiorentina defense remained organized. As the clock wound down, yellow cards for Christ Inao Oulaï and Pietro Beruatto highlighted the competitive edge of the tie. Ultimately, Fiorentina secured a comfortable 4-1 victory, progressing in the tournament with style and efficiency.
