Roma 3-3 Napoli: Six-goal Derby del Sole leaves both sides with a point

Roma were held to a 3-3 draw by Napoli in a six-goal Derby del Sole in the eighth round of Serie A.

Leonardo Balerdi scored twice for Roma, with Matias Soule also on target. Napoli’s goals came from Scott McTominay, who also scored twice, and Frank Anguissa.

The result means Roma have now failed to beat Napoli in their past six meetings. Their most recent victory against the southern club came in the 2023-24 season, when they won 2-0 at Stadio Olimpico, the home of the Giallorossi.

Napoli have won two of those six matches, while the other four have ended in draws.

Napoli manager Massimiliano Allegri was sent off after protesting against the referee’s decisions.

Anguissa opened the scoring in the 28th minute with an excellent overhead kick. Napoli then doubled their advantage three minutes after half-time, when McTominay headed home.

The goal was McTominay’s 11th headed goal in one of Europe’s top five leagues since he joined Napoli in the 2024-25 season. That made him the player with the most headed goals in those leagues during that period.

Roma reduced the deficit in the 69th minute when Soule struck a low shot from outside the penalty area. Five minutes later, Balerdi levelled the match with a finish from inside the six-yard box.

Napoli regained the lead in the 83rd minute as McTominay scored from distance. Roma responded again, with Balerdi completing his second goal of the match with a powerful header to secure a point.

The draw leaves Roma third in the Serie A table on 18 points. Napoli move to 11 points and sit ninth.