Lazio came from behind to beat Udinese 2–1 in Serie A, with Davide Frattesi and Albert Gudmundsson scoring late to preserve a perfect start.
Lazio Turn Defeat Into Victory at Udinese
Lazio produced another late comeback in Serie A, overturning a second-half deficit to defeat Udinese 2–1 at the Bluenergy Stadium.
After a goalless opening 45 minutes, Jesper Karlström put the hosts ahead shortly after half-time. Lazio responded through Davide Frattesi, who continued his remarkable start to the campaign with his third goal in three league matches.
Then came the decisive moment.
New signing Albert Gudmundsson, introduced from the bench on his Lazio debut, headed home in the 88th minute to complete the turnaround and preserve Lazio's perfect start to the 2026/27 Serie A season.
A Balanced First Half
The opening period was closely contested, with neither side able to establish sustained control.
Udinese created one of the clearest early opportunities through Keinan Davis, forcing Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas into an important save. Hassane Kamara also tested the visitors' defensive organisation.
Lazio responded through Mattia Zaccagni, whose dangerous free-kick required a save from Maduka Okoye.
Despite several promising moments, neither team could find the breakthrough before half-time.
The score remained 0–0 after an intense but evenly balanced first half.
Karlström Gives Udinese the Lead
The match changed immediately after the restart.
Just four minutes into the second half, Jesper Karlström broke the deadlock.
Keinan Davis provided the decisive pass, finding Karlström inside the penalty area. The Udinese midfielder kept his composure and finished beyond Mandas to give the home side a 1–0 lead in the 49th minute.
For a period, Udinese appeared capable of protecting the advantage.
The hosts defended with determination and continued to threaten on the counterattack, while Lazio struggled to turn possession into clear chances.
Frattesi Continues His Incredible Start
Lazio refused to panic.
The visitors gradually increased their attacking pressure and began spending more time in Udinese's half.
Their persistence finally paid off in the 75th minute.
Zaccagni delivered the ball into the penalty area, where Davide Frattesi found space and produced a first-time finish to level the match at 1–1.
It was Frattesi's third goal in his first three Serie A appearances for Lazio, underlining just how influential the midfielder has been during the opening weeks of the season.
The equaliser completely changed the momentum.
Suddenly, Lazio believed the comeback was possible.
Gudmundsson Completes the Turnaround
The final twist came in the closing minutes.
Frattesi was replaced by Albert Gudmundsson in the 79th minute, giving the new signing his Lazio debut.
The Icelandic forward needed only nine minutes to make a decisive impact.
In the 88th minute, Gudmundsson rose to meet a cross from the right and directed a powerful header beyond Okoye.
Udinese 1–2 Lazio.
The comeback was complete.
Gudmundsson's debut could hardly have been more dramatic. He entered with the score level and left the pitch as the match-winner, giving Lazio another late victory.
Goals Timeline
| Minute | Goal | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49' | Jesper Karlström — Udinese | Udinese 1–0 Lazio |
| 75' | Davide Frattesi — Lazio | Udinese 1–1 Lazio |
| 88' | Albert Gudmundsson — Lazio | Udinese 1–2 Lazio |
The Turning Point
The decisive phase of the match came between the 75th and 88th minutes.
Udinese had spent much of the match protecting their advantage, but Frattesi's equaliser shifted the psychological balance completely.
Lazio then increased the pressure, while Gennaro Gattuso's introduction of Gudmundsson proved inspired.
The Icelandic forward's late header transformed a difficult away match into another three-point victory.
Tactical Analysis
Udinese — Strong for an Hour ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Udinese's approach worked particularly well during the first hour.
They defended compactly, competed aggressively in midfield and looked dangerous when Davis provided an outlet in attack.
Karlström's movement into the penalty area was rewarded with the opening goal.
However, once Lazio increased the pressure, Udinese struggled to regain control.
The biggest disappointment for Kosta Runjaic's side was conceding twice during the final 15 minutes.
Lazio — Resilience and Late Quality ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lazio demonstrated one of the most valuable characteristics in a long Serie A season: the ability to win when the performance is not perfect.
Gattuso's team remained patient after falling behind and continued searching for openings.
Frattesi again delivered in the attacking third, while Gudmundsson provided the decisive finishing touch.
The result also highlighted Lazio's strength from the bench, with Gudmundsson making an immediate impact on his debut.
Key Moments
| Moment | Impact |
|---|---|
| Mandas denies Davis and Kamara | Keeps Lazio level |
| Karlström scores in the 49th minute | Udinese take control |
| Frattesi equalises in the 75th | Momentum swings toward Lazio |
| Gudmundsson enters in the 79th | Gattuso adds fresh attacking quality |
| Gudmundsson scores in the 88th | Lazio complete the comeback |
| Full-time | Udinese 1–2 Lazio |
What the Result Means
The victory maintains Lazio's 100% record after three Serie A matches.
Gennaro Gattuso's side have now won all three of their opening league fixtures, keeping them alongside the leading teams on maximum points.
For Frattesi, the start to life at Lazio has been particularly impressive. His third goal in three matches makes him one of the defining attacking figures of Lazio's early-season campaign.
For Gudmundsson, meanwhile, the debut could hardly have been better.
A late winner on his first appearance immediately makes him a player Lazio supporters will be watching closely.
Udinese suffered their first defeat of the season and will take plenty of encouragement from a performance that kept them ahead for much of the contest.
Final Verdict
Udinese 1–2 Lazio was another example of Lazio's remarkable early-season resilience.
Udinese deserved credit for their performance and appeared to have the three points within reach after Karlström's opener.
But Lazio refused to surrender.
Frattesi once again provided the crucial attacking contribution before Gudmundsson stepped off the bench to deliver the decisive blow.
For Gattuso, it is another important victory and another demonstration that this Lazio side possesses the mentality required to compete at the top of Serie A.
Three games. Three wins. Maximum points.
And with Frattesi scoring in every match and Gudmundsson making an immediate impact, Lazio's perfect start is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.