Last-minute own goal gives Bologna thrilling victory

As debuts go they don’t come much more unfortunate than this.

Cristiano Biraghi scored a last-minute own goal on his first appearance for Torino as Bologna were gifted a 3-2 win in Serie A on Friday.

With just seconds remaining, the ball hit the retreating defender and spun past his helpless goalkeeper.

It was a disaster for the recent signing from Fiorentina and marked the first defeat in eight games for Torino, who after a shaky run in the final weeks of 2024, stabilised their form with six draws and a win from their last seven games.

The match at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara had a bit of everything, including a double from Dan Ndoye for hosts Bologna in the 20th and 70th minutes.

Earlier, Nikola Vlasic had cancelled out Ndoye’s opening goal with one of his own in the 37th minute.

But a moment of inspiration from Eljif Elmas gave Torino a 2-1 lead 20 minutes into the second half, the on-loan striker from Leipzig nutmegging a defender and dinking the ball over the keeper.

Five minutes later, Ndoye took advantage of a penalty award to level the scores before Biraghi’s unlucky own goal settled the matter.

The result lifted Bologna one place into seventh and left Torino in 11th spot.