Gudmundsson seals Lazio comeback to keep perfect Serie A record intact

Albert Gudmundsson scored a late winner on his Lazio debut as the Italian side came from behind to beat Udinese 2-1 and make it three victories from three Serie A matches for only the third time in their history.

The result also extended Lazio’s strong away record, with the Biancocelesti claiming their fourth win in their past five league matches on the road. Udinese, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat of the campaign and have now won only one of their last seven Serie A home games, drawing two and losing four.

Udinese began with confidence and created the better opportunities during the opening stages. Christos Mandas was forced into a sharp save in the 12th minute, turning away Keinan Davis’ low shot before using his legs to deny Hassane Kamara from the rebound.

Lazio were then fortunate not to fall behind through their own mistake. Mergim Vojvoda’s underhit backpass allowed Mattia Zaccagni to try to round Maduka Okoye, but Lennon Miller recovered quickly and cleared the danger.

Miller had only been on the pitch for 16 minutes, replacing Jakub Piotrowski after the midfielder was forced off. Udinese suffered a second injury setback seven minutes before the interval when Oumar Solet was unable to continue.

Kamara came close to opening the scoring shortly afterwards. He was aiming to become the first Udinese player since 2011 to score in each of the first three matches of a Serie A season, but Mandas produced a full-length save to his left.

The Lazio goalkeeper had not conceded in the league before this match, but that run ended four minutes after the restart. Udinese captain Jesper Karlstrom collected Davis’ lay-off and drove a low shot through Mandas for the second Serie A goal of his career.

Lazio immediately searched for a response. Kenneth Taylor sent an effort narrowly wide, while Okoye made an excellent close-range stop to keep out Zaccagni’s header during a crowded spell inside the Udinese penalty area.

Udinese threatened again when Jurgen Ekkelenkamp tested Mandas, but Lazio continued to build pressure. Their persistence was rewarded 15 minutes from full-time when Zaccagni delivered a low cross into the box and Davide Frattesi poked the ball home.

It was Frattesi’s third goal in as many Serie A appearances since joining Lazio on loan from Inter Milan during the summer.

Zaccagni then came close to completing the turnaround himself, striking the post with a half-volley. The decisive moment arrived two minutes before the end, when summer signing Gudmundsson rose to head in Danilho Doekhi’s cross and give Lazio all three points.

The victory leaves Lazio with a perfect record after the opening three league matches. Udinese’s unbeaten start, by contrast, came to an end despite Karlstrom’s opener and several promising chances in the first half.

Flashscore’s Man of the Match was Mattia Zaccagni of Lazio.