Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (R) vies with Lazio's Adam Marusic during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Lazio in Naples, Italy, March 3, 2023. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
ROME, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Napoli were forced to slam the brakes on their winning streak as they fell to Lazio 1-0 on Monday, their first home defeat in Serie A this season.
The Partenopei were a sensation since the start of the season, as they only conceded one defeat in the domestic league and ran away from the table with a huge 18-point advantage before Friday's game.
The home side entered into the Stadio Maradona with eight consecutive Serie A wins and dominated the game with a 65 percent ball possession, but Matias Vecino stole the show in the 67th minute as his thunderous strike out of the box silenced the stadium.
Despite the defeat, Napoli still led the table with 65 points, while Lazio temporarily moved to the second with 48. ■
Lazio's Matias Vecino (2nd R) celebrates his goal with his teammates during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Lazio in Naples, Italy, March 3, 2023. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Napoli's Hirving Lozano (L) vies with Lazio's Matias Vecino during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Lazio in Naples, Italy, March 3, 2023. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Napoli's Victor Osimhen (L) vies with Lazio's Gil Patric during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Lazio in Naples, Italy, March 3, 2023. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Lazio's Matias Vecino (2nd R) celebrates his goal with his teammates during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Lazio in Naples, Italy, March 3, 2023. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Napoli's Victor Osimhen (R) vies with Lazio's Elseid Hysaj during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Lazio in Naples, Italy, March 3, 2023. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Napoli's goalkeeper Alex Meret (R) fails to save the ball during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Lazio in Naples, Italy, March 3, 2023. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Napoli's Victor Osimhen (L) vies with Lazio's goalkeeper Ivan Provedel during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Lazio in Naples, Italy, March 3, 2023. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Napoli's Victor Osimhen (C) vies with Lazio's Alessio Romagnoli (R) during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Lazio in Naples, Italy, March 3, 2023. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Napoli's Victor Osimhen gestures during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Lazio in Naples, Italy, March 3, 2023. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
