Late Roma comeback rescues perfect start after Malen draws a blank

AS Roma scored twice in the closing stages to beat Atalanta 2-1 and preserve their perfect Serie A record after three matches. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side trailed until the 89th minute before Mario Hermoso equalised and Matías Soulé completed the turnaround in added time.

Donyell Malen started for Roma but could not extend the run that had brought him five goals across the first two league games. The Netherlands international had opportunities during the first half, including one promising opening against goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi, before being substituted after an hour. Fellow Dutch players Marten de Roon and Devyne Rensch remained on the Roma bench.

Atalanta had gone ahead against the run of play. Charles De Ketelaere advanced beyond Hermoso and delivered a cross which Evan Ndicka could only partially intercept, allowing Éderson to drive the loose ball into the net. Roma substitute Santiago Castro subsequently hit the woodwork twice as the home side pushed for a response.

Soulé created the equaliser with a late corner, which Hermoso directed into the far side of the goal with a looping header. The Argentine then decided the match in the third minute of stoppage time, cutting inside after Paulo Dybala found him and beating Carnesecchi at the near post. Roma moved to nine points from three games, level with Inter as the only teams to have reached that total at that stage of the weekend.