Dany Mota scored the only goal as Monza defeated Torino 1–0 in Turin to reach the Coppa Italia last 16, where they will face Milan.
Torino 0–1 Monza: Monza Produce a Memorable Away Win
Monza produced another major result in the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa 2026/27, defeating Torino 1–0 at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino to book their place in the last 16.
The decisive moment came just before half-time when Portuguese forward Dany Mota reacted quickest inside the penalty area to convert a cross from Samuele Forson. His finish in first-half stoppage time proved enough to settle a closely contested knockout tie.
The victory was particularly significant for Monza because it was their first-ever win away to Torino, according to the club's official match report. The result also sent Monza through to a last-16 meeting with Milan at San Siro.
For Torino, meanwhile, the defeat represented another frustrating night after a difficult beginning to the campaign. The Granata failed to score despite enjoying several opportunities, while VAR intervention late in the match denied them the chance to take the contest to a potential penalty shootout.
Match Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | Coppa Italia Frecciarossa 2026/27 |
| Round | Round of 32 / Last 16 qualification |
| Result | Torino 0–1 Monza |
| Venue | Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino |
| Date | September 1, 2026 |
| Half-time | Torino 0–1 Monza |
| Goal | Dany Mota 45+2' |
| Winner | Monza |
| Next Round | Milan vs Monza |
The official Torino match report records Mota's goal at 45+2 minutes, while Sky Sports lists the goal at approximately 48' because of its live-match timing convention.
Torino Start Fast but Monza Take Control
The home side made an explosive start.
After barely a minute, Gaetano Oristanio struck the post, immediately warning Monza that Torino intended to attack from the opening whistle. It was an important moment because a goal that early could have completely changed the structure of the match.
Monza survived the early scare and gradually grew into the game.
Under head coach Ivan Juric, the visitors began to find more space and control possession more effectively. Their attacking players started combining with greater confidence, while Torino found it increasingly difficult to maintain the intensity of the opening minutes.
Monza's improvement was reflected in a series of chances.
At the 8-minute mark, Rony Lopes Mangas cut inside and unleashed a powerful right-footed effort that Torino goalkeeper Franco Perri pushed behind for a corner. Later, Monza also threatened through Robinson and Mota.
Monza Denied by the Woodwork
The visitors came particularly close to taking the lead through Dany Mota.
The Portuguese forward rose to meet a beautifully delivered cross from Mangas and sent his header against the crossbar in the 42nd minute.
It was a warning that Monza were beginning to dominate the most dangerous areas of the pitch.
The missed opportunity, however, did not prove costly.
Mota would have another chance only minutes later — and this time he made no mistake.
Dany Mota Strikes Before Half-Time
With the first half seemingly heading toward a goalless conclusion, Monza finally found the breakthrough.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Forson delivered the ball into the penalty area, where Dany Mota reacted quickly to finish from close range.
The goal gave Monza a 1–0 lead at the perfect moment.
For Torino, the timing was devastating.
The Granata had survived several difficult moments but conceded immediately before the interval, meaning they entered the dressing room knowing that they needed to overturn the deficit in the second half.
For Mota, the goal was also a landmark moment. The Monza captain reached 41 goals for the club, according to the official club report.
Goal Timeline
45+2' – Torino 0–1 Monza: Dany Mota
Samuele Forson supplied the cross and Dany Mota finished from close range to give Monza the lead immediately before half-time.
Torino Push for an Equaliser
Torino returned from the break needing to change the game.
Coach Marco Abate introduced attacking options in an attempt to add greater creativity and presence in the final third. The home side needed to find a way through a Monza defence that had become increasingly comfortable.
Instead, Monza nearly doubled their advantage.
Early in the second half, Jay Robinson led a dangerous counterattack and found Mangas, whose effort was saved by Perri. Mangas then tried again from distance in the 57th minute, but his left-footed shot went narrowly wide.
The chances demonstrated that Monza were not simply sitting back.
They were defending their lead while remaining willing to attack whenever Torino left space behind.
Robinson Hits the Post
One of the clearest indications that Monza remained the more dangerous team came in the 73rd minute.
Jay Robinson, the 19-year-old forward, produced a superb curling effort that beat Perri but struck the post.
It was the second time Monza had hit the woodwork during the match, following Mota's first-half header.
Torino were therefore fortunate to remain within one goal.
The home side still had time to equalise, but Monza's organisation made it increasingly difficult for the Granata to create clear openings.
Torino Fail to Find the Equaliser
Torino's best opportunity to rescue the match arrived late.
At around the 79th minute, Duván Zapata appeared at the far post and came close to connecting with the ball, but the opportunity did not result in an equaliser.
Monza continued to threaten at the other end, with Andrea Colpani testing Perri and Cutrone forcing another save after coming off the bench.
The visitors were showing excellent game management.
Rather than simply defending deeper and deeper, they continued looking for a second goal, keeping Torino from throwing every player forward.
VAR Drama in Stoppage Time
The final twist arrived deep into stoppage time.
Torino were awarded a penalty after a handball involving Monza defender Lorenzo Lucchesi. It appeared to offer the home side one final opportunity to equalise and potentially take the tie to penalties.
However, referee Daniele Perenzoni was advised to review the incident.
After an on-field VAR review, the penalty decision was overturned.
The decision effectively ended Torino's hopes.
Moments later, the final whistle confirmed a 1–0 Monza victory.
Tactical Analysis: Monza's Organisation Makes the Difference
The result was not simply a case of Monza scoring and defending for their lives.
Juric's team showed a strong balance between defensive discipline and attacking ambition.
Monza lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Dany Mota leading the attack and Forson and Robinson operating behind him. Torino started with a 3-4-1-2 setup.
The shape allowed Monza to create numerical advantages in midfield while also giving their wing-backs room to push forward.
When Torino had possession, Monza could drop into a compact structure. When they won the ball, the visitors were able to transition quickly through Robinson, Forson and Mangas.
That balance was one of the biggest reasons why Torino struggled to turn possession into clear chances.
Dany Mota the Decisive Figure
The standout player was unquestionably Dany Mota.
The Portuguese striker was involved throughout the match and was unlucky not to score earlier when his header struck the crossbar.
Eventually, he found the decisive finish.
His goal was particularly important because it arrived at a moment when Torino had begun to believe they could reach half-time level.
Mota's experience also helped Monza manage the second half. Wearing the captain's armband, he provided a focal point for the attack and helped the visitors maintain an outlet when under pressure.
The goal also moved him to 41 goals in Monza colours, underlining his importance to the club.
Torino's Difficult Night
Torino will look back on the match with considerable frustration.
The hosts hit the post within the opening minute, but they ultimately finished the game without scoring. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Torino registered zero shots on target, despite their attempts to increase their attacking presence after the interval.
The inability to test Monza goalkeeper Demba Thiam consistently was ultimately decisive.
Torino also struggled to break down Monza's defensive block in the final third. Their attacking substitutions increased their presence around the penalty area, but the quality of the final pass and finishing was lacking.
The late VAR penalty reversal added to the disappointment.
Monza Set Up a Milan Showdown
The reward for Monza is a major last-16 tie against Milan at San Siro.
The club's official report confirms that the next Coppa Italia challenge will be a single-match encounter against the Rossoneri.
It gives Monza another opportunity to test themselves against one of Italian football's biggest clubs.
After eliminating Torino away from home, Monza will enter that contest with considerable confidence.
For a newly promoted side, progressing through the Coppa Italia while competing against established Serie A opposition is an encouraging sign.
Final Thoughts
Monza delivered an impressive away performance to defeat Torino 1–0 and advance to the last 16 of the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa 2026/27.
Dany Mota's stoppage-time goal at the end of the first half proved decisive after the Portuguese forward had already hit the crossbar earlier in the match.
Torino pushed for an equaliser but could not find the necessary quality in front of goal. Monza, meanwhile, remained composed, created opportunities of their own and defended their advantage effectively.
The victory was even more significant because it was Monza's first win at Torino, while it also secured a mouth-watering last-16 meeting with Milan at San Siro.
For Juric and his players, it was a night that demonstrated exactly what knockout football can demand: efficiency, resilience, tactical discipline and the ability to take advantage of decisive moments.
Final score: Torino 0–1 Monza.