Serie A | Cremonese 0-2 Napoli: Hojlund happy ending to 2025

Rasmus Hojlund was clinical with both goals as Napoli conquered Jamie Vardy’s Cremonese to end 2025 on a high.

The Partenopei lost top spot in Serie A with defeat to Udinese, but were revitalised by their Supercoppa Italiana triumph in Riyadh. Romelu Lukaku, Sam Beukema, Mathias Olivera, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour, Alex Meret and Kevin De Bruyne missed out. The hosts were without Michele Collocolo and suspended Federico Ceccherini, but Martin Payero returned from his ban with Matteo Bianchetti also available again in a protective mask.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Filippo Terracciano tested Vanja Milinkovic-Savic from distance, but Napoli opened the scoring when Leonardo Spinazzola’s effort from the edge of the area took a big deflection and Rasmus Hojlund pounced from seven yards.

Bianchetti should’ve done better when volleying over unmarked from a free kick routine, while Hojlund rode a Federico Baschirotto tackle only to be denied one-on-one by Emil Audero.

Alessio Zerbin, on loan from Napoli, had penalty appeals rejected for an Amir Rrahmani challenge after dribbling into the box and running into the defender, then Payero’s strike was charged down.

Scott McTominay flashed an effort across the face of goal, but Napoli doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time. Zerbin didn’t get much on his interception, so Politano’s cross was just knocked down for Hojlund to fire in from six yards. He already has more Serie A goals than throughout all of last season at Manchester United.

The Dane threatened a third when hitting the side-netting on a McTominay assist, while Terracciano risked an own goal when intercepting the Hojlund roll across for David Neres.

Amir Rrahmani’s glancing header skimmed the near top corner on a set play, while Payero failed to make the most of a Juan Jesus poor clearance.

McTominay saw his strike well parried by Audero, only for Hojlund to fire the rebound over when getting to it ahead of teammate Noa Lang.

Audero also got down to palm away the McTominay scorcher from distance and Warren Bondo blasted just over in stoppages.

Cremonese 0-2 Napoli

Hojlund 13, 45 (N)