Last-Gasp Thorstvedt Equalizer Rescues Point for Sassuolo Against Pisa
Key Takeaways
- Thorstvedt's 95th-minute header rescues Sassuolo — The Norwegian midfielder met Cristian Volpato's cross in the fifth minute of stoppage time to complete a dramatic comeback. His yellow card for the celebration was a small price for a point that looked lost after Pisa's late go-ahead goal.
- Frantic opening sets the tone — Two goals in the first six minutes established this as a wide-open contest. Nzola's fourth-minute opener for Pisa was immediately canceled out by Matic's response from a corner two minutes later, and the back-and-forth nature never relented.
- Pisa's counter-attacking quality nearly stole three points — Meister's 81st-minute finish from Moreo's setup on a swift break looked to be the winner. The visitors showed clinical efficiency in transition but couldn't hold on for the final 14 minutes including stoppage time.
Players in this Match
Reggio Emilia, Italy — Kristian Thorstvedt's dramatic stoppage-time equalizer capped an enthralling 2-2 draw between Sassuolo and Pisa at the MAPEI Stadium on Monday evening. The Norwegian midfielder's last-gasp finish in the fifth minute of added time sent the home supporters into raptures, rescuing a deserved point for the hosts in a match filled with momentum swings and quality finishing.
The visitors wasted no time making their mark when M'Bala Nzola struck in just the fourth minute to give Pisa an early advantage. The quick start silenced the home crowd, but their dismay was short-lived as Sassuolo responded with remarkable efficiency. Nemanja Matic leveled the score in the sixth minute, firing a left-footed shot from the center of the box into the bottom right corner following a corner kick situation, immediately restoring the energy in the stadium.
Both teams settled into a more measured rhythm after the frantic opening exchanges, with the match becoming increasingly physical. The intensity was reflected in the disciplinary record as Arturo Calabresi and Sebastian Walukiewicz both entered the referee's book before halftime, forcing both players to be substituted at the break as Pisa made tactical adjustments to maintain their defensive solidity.
The second half saw Sassuolo pushing forward in search of a winner, but it was Pisa who struck against the run of play in the 81st minute. Henrik Meister capitalized on a swift counter-attack, finishing clinically from the left side of the box after being perfectly set up by Stefano Moreo. The goal showcased Pisa's effectiveness on the break and appeared to have secured all three points for the visitors.
As the match entered its final stages, Sassuolo mounted increasing pressure on the Pisa defense. Their persistence was finally rewarded deep into stoppage time when Cristian Volpato delivered an inviting cross into the danger area. Thorstvedt reacted quickest, guiding a left-footed shot from close range into the bottom left corner to level the score at 2-2. The Norwegian's celebration earned him a yellow card, but his crucial intervention had already secured a valuable point for Sassuolo.
The draw showcased the resilience of both sides, with Sassuolo demonstrating their never-say-die attitude and Pisa proving their counter-attacking credentials. The shared points keep both teams within striking distance of their respective season objectives as they look to build momentum heading into the busy December fixture list.