Soule seals stoppage-time win as Roma maintain perfect start

Roma scored twice in the closing stages to beat Atalanta 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico and preserve their 100% start to the Serie A season.

The visitors appeared set to claim victory after Ederson put Atalanta ahead two minutes after half-time, but Mario Hermoso equalised in the 90th minute before Matias Soule completed Roma’s dramatic turnaround in the third minute of added time.

The result gives Roma three wins from three matches and moves them to the top of the table with nine points, ahead of second-placed Inter on goal difference. Atalanta remain on six points in seventh place after suffering their first defeat of the campaign.

The opening 45 minutes was closely contested, with neither side able to establish control. The match burst into life shortly after the interval, however, when Atalanta took the lead in the 47th minute.

Charles De Ketelaere created the opening with an impressive run down the left. He beat Mario Hermoso before sending a cut-back into the area towards Nikola Krstovic. Roma failed to deal with the danger as Evan Ndicka and Bryan Cristante both attempted to intervene, and the loose ball broke for Ederson.

The Atalanta midfielder struck a powerful shot from 14 yards which flew beyond the goalkeeper and into the net.

Roma responded by increasing the pressure on their opponents and repeatedly threatened from set pieces. The hosts won 14 corners during the match, but had to wait until the final minute of normal time to get back on level terms.

Hermoso found space inside the area to meet a precise cross without challenge. The defender directed a firm header into the net, giving Roma renewed belief and resetting the contest with only stoppage time remaining.

Their winning goal arrived soon afterwards. In the third minute of added time, Soule collected the ball on the right and embarked on a direct run towards the area. He moved inside, evaded Davide Zappacosta and created enough room to shoot through the narrow gap between goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi and the near post.

The strike sparked loud celebrations around the Stadio Olimpico and completed a comeback which had seemed unlikely only moments earlier.

Roma will now turn their attention to European competition. The capital club travel to Turkey to face Fenerbahce on Thursday in their opening Champions League fixture.

They then return to domestic action with an away match against Torino on 14 September, before hosting Inter in a highly anticipated meeting between the two leading sides on 19 September.