Lille Edge Roma Despite Three Penalties in Dramatic Europa League Clash

Key Takeaways:

• Roma suffered a 0:1 defeat at home to Lille in the second round of the Europa League
• The Italian side missed to score a penalty from three attempts in the closing stages, all saved by Berke Özer
• Lille secured a second consecutive group stage victory, while Roma experienced their first loss of the tournament

Early Goal Sets the Tone at Stadio Olimpico

Roma endured a frustrating evening as they fell 0:1 to Lille on home turf in one of the most hotly-anticipated encounters of the Europa League’s second round. The visitors struck early, with Hakon Arnar Haraldsson netting in the sixth minute after capitalising on defensive errors by Konstantinos Tsimikas and Nabil Alioui. Despite this setback, the hosts dominated possession for much of the first half, pressing hard for an equaliser. The closest opportunity arose in the 35th minute, when Tsimikas saw his attempt denied, and Alioui’s follow-up cleared off the goal line.

𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑺𝑯𝑨𝑳𝑳 𝑵𝑶𝑻 𝑷𝑨𝑺𝑺! ⛔️🚫

𝙄𝙉𝘾𝙍𝙀𝘿𝙄𝘽𝙇𝙀 𝙎𝘾𝙀𝙉𝙀𝙎 during Roma 🆚 Lille 🤯

The penalty had to be retaken 𝙏𝙃𝙍𝙀𝙀 times, and Lille’s goalkeeper Berke Özer saved 𝘼𝙇𝙇 𝙏𝙃𝙍𝙀𝙀 😱

❌ Artem Dovbyk 🧤
❌ Artem Dovbyk 🧤
❌ Matías Soulé 🧤 pic.twitter.com/ioA89BpV2k

— 433 (@433) October 2, 2025

Pulsating Endgame: Penalty Drama Unfolds

Roma’s attacking urgency continued after the interval, ultimately culminating in a frenzied sequence of events beginning in the 80th minute. Referee intervention via VAR led to a penalty awarded for a handball offence by Aïssa Mandi. Artem Dovbyk, having entered the fray as a substitute, saw his initial penalty effort saved by Lille keeper Berke Özer. Due to entering into the penalty area by fellow substitute Romain Perraud – who was first to reach the rebound – a second attempt was ordered. Dovbyk again failed to convert, his shot parried by Özer for a second time. Officials then ruled a third penalty was warranted due to Özer’s improper positioning.

On the third attempt, Matías Soulé stepped forward, opting to change direction with his effort. Yet once again, Özer was equal to the task, making a decisive save to preserve Lille’s slender lead and secure all three points for the visitors.

Group Standings and Recent Form

Lille’s narrow victory represents their second consecutive win in the Europa League, following a 2:1 triumph over Brann. Meanwhile, this marks Roma’s first defeat of the campaign following their 2:1 opening round win against Nice last week.