Lazio secured their place in the 2026 Coppa Italia final with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Atalanta in Bergamo, marking a historic achievement for goalkeeper Edoardo Motta. After the match ended 1-1 following extra time, Motta saved four of the five penalties taken by Atalanta, propelling Lazio to a 4-2 win in the shootout. This performance not only sent Lazio through to face Inter Milan in the final but also etched Motta’s name into Coppa Italia lore as one of the few goalkeepers to achieve such a feat in a penalty shootout at this stage of the competition.
The return leg of the semi-final, played at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo on April 22, 2026, began with both sides showing caution in the opening stages. Lazio took the lead in the 84th minute through Alessio Romagnoli, who capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot the ball past Atalanta’s goalkeeper. However, the joy was short-lived as Atalanta responded just two minutes later, with Mario Pasalic heading home a cross from Ademola Lookman to level the score at 1-1. Despite several chances in the dying moments of regular time, neither side could identify a winner, leading to two periods of extra time.
Extra time produced no further goals, with both teams creating half-chances but failing to break the deadlock. Atalanta had a strong claim for a penalty in the first half of extra time when a cross from Jeremie Frimpong appeared to strike the arm of Lazio’s Nicolò Casale inside the box, but the referee waved play on after a brief VAR review. Lazio also had moments of danger, particularly through the efforts of Mattia Zaccagni and Taty Castellanos, but neither could convert. The match proceeded to a penalty shootout, where Motta delivered a performance for the ages.
Facing intense pressure, Motta remained composed as he faced Atalanta’s penalty takers. He saved the first kick from Ademola Lookman, diving to his left to push the ball around the post. The second penalty, taken by Mario Pasalic, was also saved, with Motta guessing correctly and getting a strong hand to the ball. The third kick, from Charles De Ketelaere, was struck with power but lacked precision, allowing Motta to make a comfortable save low to his right. The fourth penalty, taken by Rafael Tolói, was perhaps the most crucial, as Motta again dived to his left to deny the experienced defender. With Lazio leading 3-2 in the shootout after converting their first three penalties, the fifth and final Atalanta kick from Matteo Ruggeri was never taken, as Motta’s four saves had already secured the victory.
Motta’s performance drew immediate praise from teammates, coaches and pundits alike. Lazio’s head coach, Marco Baroni, described the goalkeeper’s display as “one of the most remarkable individual performances I have ever witnessed in a high-stakes match.” Teammate Alessio Romagnoli, who scored Lazio’s opening goal, called Motta “the hero of the night” and emphasized how his saves gave the team the belief to hold on for victory. The achievement was particularly notable given Motta’s youth and limited experience at the highest level; the 21-year-old had only joined Lazio in January 2026 as a backup to Ivan Provedel but was thrust into action due to an injury to the first-choice goalkeeper.
The victory sent Lazio to their 11th Coppa Italia final, where they will face Inter Milan at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on May 13, 2026. The final will be held at Lazio’s home ground, giving the Biancocelesti a significant advantage in what promises to be a highly anticipated clash. Inter reached the final after a hard-fought semi-final victory over Como, overcoming a 2-0 deficit from the first leg to win 3-2 in the second leg at the San Siro. Their comeback was spearheaded by Lautaro Martínez, who scored twice, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu, who provided the assist for the winning goal.
Lazio’s journey to the final has been defined by resilience and tactical discipline. Throughout the tournament, they have shown the ability to grind out results, particularly in tight matches. Their earlier rounds included a narrow victory over Fiorentina in the quarter-finals and a hard-fought draw with Roma in the round of 16, which they won on away goals. The semi-final triumph over Atalanta, however, stands out as the defining moment of their campaign, not only for the result but for the individual brilliance displayed by Motta.
The penalty shootout success has sparked discussions about the psychological and technical aspects of goalkeeping in high-pressure situations. Former Italy international goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, commenting on the performance, noted that saving four penalties in a shootout is “extremely rare” and requires a combination of preparation, instinct, and mental strength. He highlighted Motta’s ability to read the kickers’ body language and remain upright until the last possible moment as key factors in his success. Such performances are uncommon in football history; only a handful of goalkeepers have achieved four or more saves in a single penalty shootout in major competitions, with examples including Sergio Romero’s performance for Argentina against Colombia in the 2015 Copa América and Danijel Subašić’s heroics for Croatia against Denmark in the 2018 World Cup.
As Lazio prepares for the final, attention will also turn to the availability of key players. Midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, who has been a consistent performer throughout the campaign, is expected to feature despite picking up a minor knock during the shootout celebrations. Forward Taty Castellanos, who has struggled for consistency in recent weeks, will glance to regain his scoring touch against Inter’s defense. Lazio’s defensive marshal, Alessio Romagnoli, will be crucial in organizing the backline against Inter’s potent attack, which includes Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram.
The Stadio Olimpico is set to host a capacity crowd for the final, with both sets of fans expected to create a vibrant atmosphere. Lazio supporters will be particularly vocal, given the rarity of reaching the final at home. The club has not won the Coppa Italia since 2019, when they defeated Atalanta 2-0 in the final, also at the Stadio Olimpico. That victory came under Simone Inzaghi, who has since moved on to coach Inter Milan, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this year’s final.
With the final less than three weeks away, both teams will use the upcoming Serie A matches to fine-tune their preparations. Lazio will face Udinese at home on April 27, followed by an away trip to Genoa on May 4. Inter will host Empoli on April 28 before traveling to face Napoli on May 5. These matches will provide valuable opportunities for both coaches to assess fitness, experiment with tactics, and build momentum heading into the showpiece event.
For Edoardo Motta, the focus will remain on maintaining the form and concentration that made him the hero of the semi-final. While he acknowledges the magnitude of his achievement, he has emphasized that the team’s collective effort was the true reason for their success. “I was just doing my job,” he said in a post-match interview. “The boys worked hard all night, and we deserved to go through. Now we have one more game, and we’ll give everything to win it.”
As the countdown to the Coppa Italia final continues, fans around the world will be watching closely to observe if Lazio can lift the trophy for the eighth time in their history. With Motta in goal and a determined squad behind him, they will be confident of overcoming the challenge posed by Inter Milan and securing a memorable victory at the Stadio Olimpico.
Stay tuned to World Today Journal for live updates, expert analysis, and exclusive coverage of the 2026 Coppa Italia final as it unfolds.