Torino, sole leader of Serie A, falls in the Coppa Italia against Empoli

Empoli delivered one of the biggest surprises of the Coppa Italia so far by defeating Torino 2-1 in Turin, eliminating the Serie A leaders from the competition in the round of 32.

Torino, who have been enjoying a strong start to the league season, leading Serie A with 11 points, were expected to cruise through this match. However, Empoli, a team also on the rise, with an impressive fifth-place standing after five matchdays in Serie A, had other plans.

Empoli took the lead in the 30th minute when Swedish forward Emmanuel Ekong found the back of the net with a composed finish, capping off a solid first half for the visitors. Ekong’s goal underscored the confidence Empoli has been playing with this season. Despite being underdogs, they showed no signs of intimidation and went toe-to-toe with their more fancied opponents. Torino, for their part, struggled to break down Empoli’s defense and failed to capitalize on several promising opportunities.

As the second half progressed, Torino began to turn up the pressure, desperate to avoid an early exit from the cup competition. The breakthrough finally came in the 74th minute when Scottish forward Che Adams leveled the score for Torino. His well-taken goal gave the home fans hope of a comeback and seemed to shift the momentum in favor of the league leaders.

But just when it appeared Torino might complete the turnaround, Empoli delivered a late blow that silenced the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. In the 90th minute, Swiss midfielder Nicolas Haas struck the decisive goal for Empoli, securing a dramatic victory and sending Torino crashing out of the Coppa Italia. Haas’s late winner came as a result of some clever build-up play from Empoli, catching the Torino defense off guard at a critical moment. The defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for Torino, who had been riding high in the league but now face questions about their depth and ability to manage multiple competitions.

Empoli’s victory further highlights their impressive form this season. With nine points from their first five Serie A matches, they are level with Juventus in the standings, showing they are not to be underestimated. Their performance against Torino will surely boost their confidence as they look to continue their strong campaign in both the league and cup competitions.

In addition to Torino’s shock exit, two other matches took place in the Coppa Italia today. Sassuolo advanced to the next round after a 2-0 win over Lecce. Playing away from home, Sassuolo displayed composure and control throughout the match, earning a comfortable victory that eliminates Lecce from the competition. Meanwhile, Cagliari confirmed their status as favorites in their tie, defeating Serie B side Cremonese 1-0 in Sardinia. Cagliari’s victory, while hard-fought, was expected given the gap in quality between the two teams, and it ensures their place in the round of 16, where they will face tougher challenges ahead.

Empoli’s triumph over Torino serves as a reminder that anything can happen in cup competitions, where even the top teams are vulnerable to surprises. As the Coppa Italia progresses, more upsets could be on the horizon, as clubs from across Italy battle for a place in the later rounds and, ultimately, a shot at silverware.