UCL | Napoli 2-0 Qarabag: McTominay makes up for Hojlund error

Γνώμη/Editorial • Από: PROBET Editorial • Δημοσιεύτηκε: 25/11/2025 22:05

Scott McTominay scored one and forced an own goal, as the Rasmus Hojlund penalty miss didn’t stop Napoli getting the better of Qarabag 2-0.

The Partenopei got back on their feet with a 3-1 win over Atalanta at the weekend, dealing with the injury crisis by changing tactics again to a 3-4-2-1 formation. Miguel Gutierrez, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku left them with a decimated midfield, but Lorenzo Lucca returned from suspension. The pressure was on for a home victory after just one win in the first four games. Qarabag were real giant-killers, beating Benfica and FC Copenhagen, drawing 2-2 with Chelsea, and losing 3-1 away to Atletico Madrid.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 25: David Neres of SSC Napoli battles for possession with Marko Jankovic of Quarabag FK during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between SSC Napoli and Qarabag FK at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 25, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

It was an aggressive start from the Azerbaijani side, as Emmanuel Addai drilled just wide from distance, while Bahlul Mustafazade made a decisive interception to stop Rasmus Hojlund tapping in the David Neres roll across.

Neres almost scored a sensational goal on 35 minutes with an overhead kick, forcing a desperate one-handed save out of Mateusz Kochalski, then Mathias Olivera was unable to turn in the rebound.

Giovanni Di Lorenzo was perhaps offside anyway when sent clear, but he stumbled before taking the finish and the chance went begging.

NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 25: Elvin Jafarguliyev of Quarabag FK battles for possession with Giovanni Di Lorenzo of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between SSC Napoli and Qarabag FK at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 25, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Moments later, Neres got it all wrong after turning Kevin Medina, as he went for goal from an improbable angle rather than seeking unmarked Hojlund.

There was a scare straight after the restart, because Medina was felled when accidentally charging down the ferocious Scott McTominay effort with his face.

Napoli received a penalty when Marko Jankovic was adjudged to have brought down Di Lorenzo during their coming together. Hojlund stepped up, but his spot-kick was parried by Kochalski.

NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 25: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli misses a penalty during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between SSC Napoli and Qarabag FK at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 25, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Matteo Politano came on and made an immediate impact, floating a cross to the back post for Matias Olivera to force a save out of Kochalski at the near post.

Napoli scored on the resulting corner, as Kochalski did what he could on a comically shinned Mustafazade clearance, but could do nothing on the McTominay header from point-blank range.

Kochalski continued to keep the scoreline down with a remarkable double save on Noa Lang and then the McTominay follow-up.

Neres was unlucky not to add another on the counter-attack from a Qarabag corner, as his lob thumped the frame of the goal.

Luck was on their side soon after, as Napoli doubled their lead when McTominay’s acrobatic volley from an Olivera assist was deflected in off Jankovic to totally wrong-foot his goalkeeper.

Scott McTominay can't stop scoring overhead kicks! Not quite as pretty as the last one, but they all count ? pic.twitter.com/F5dvvo16Mp — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 25, 2025

Milinkovic-Savic flew to palm away the Addai effort, as Napoli held on for the clean sheet.