Jamie Vardy’s decisive goal earned Cremonese a significant away victory against Udinese, keeping their Serie A survival hopes alive as the season heads into its final matchday.
Marco Giampaolo’s team had positioned themselves for this crucial round with a preceding win against Pisa, bringing them within a point of safety. Key players like Federico Ceccherini, Warren Bondo, Faris Moumbagna, and Federico Baschirotto were unavailable for Cremonese, while Udinese missed Nicolò Zaniolo, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, Alessandro Zanoli, and the suspended Kingsley Ehizibue.
Cremonese capitalized on a defensive lapse from Udinese. Oumar Solet and Kingsley Ehizibue’s hesitant passing from the back was intercepted by Federico Bonazzoli, who tested goalkeeper Maduka Okoye. While Okoye couldn’t stop the initial save, Jamie Vardy was on hand to tap in the rebound, scoring the opening goal.
Youssef Maleh’s cross from the left found no taker, and he then attempted a shot himself, forcing a difficult one-handed save from Okoye.
Udinese were initially awarded a penalty for a foul by Sebastiano Luperto on Christian Kabasele, but VAR intervened, overturning the decision due to an offside position by Thomas Kristensen in the build-up.
Luperto later took a shot that tested Okoye, and a Keinan Davis header from a Hassane Kamara cross was directed straight at Cremonese goalkeeper Emil Audero.
Early in the second half, Bonazzoli narrowly avoided a red card for a high tackle on Kristensen, being let off due to his attempt to pull out of the challenge.
Audero produced a remarkable reflex save to deny Kristensen’s back-heel flick, though the goal would have been disallowed for offside regardless.
As the match progressed, Cremonese focused on defending their narrow lead. An incident involving Hassane Kamara and Vardy was reviewed by VAR, with the referee initially considering a red card for Kamara’s challenge but ultimately issuing a yellow card after determining both players were contesting a bouncing ball.
Udinese had the ball in the net late in the game through Adam Buksa, but the goal was disallowed due to Idrissa Gueye’s foul on Audero in the build-up.
Audero’s most significant save came in stoppage time, a diving effort to push away Oumar Solet’s curling shot destined for the top corner.
Cremonese celebrated their victory on the final whistle, but the mood shifted when news broke that Lecce had secured a last-minute win against Sassuolo, leaving the relegation battle undecided until the final game.
Udinese 0-1 Cremonese
Vardy 9′ (C)