Serie A | Fiorentina 2-2 Napoli: World class Kvaratskhelia impresses

Fiorentina and Napoli shared the points in a four-goal thriller, including two world class free kicks from Cristiano Biraghi and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia.

This was a head-to-head for eighth place, as they were separated by just two teams and the Viola have a game in hand to be played against Atalanta on June 2. Riccardo Sottil was the only remaining absentee for the hosts, but Victor Osimhen, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Mario Rui, Piotr Zielinski and Pierluigi Gollini were out of action.

See how it unfolded on the Liveblog.

It took under eight minutes to break the deadlock, as Matteo Politano whipped in a corner and Lucas Martinez Quarta was far too weak, allowing Amir Rrahmani a practically undisturbed header.

Fiorentina won't want to watch that defending back 😬

Amir Rrahmani strikes first for Napoli!

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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 17, 2024

Jens Cajuste shinned a promising half-volley from 12 yards and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia did the same after a give-and-go with Matias Olivera, then the Georgian curled just over.

Fiorentina responded with a Lucas Beltran effort straight at Alex Meret and Stanislav Lobotka charging down the Nico Gonzalez strike.

The hosts equalised with a divine free kick from specialist Cristiano Biraghi, as it bounced in off the underside of the crossbar, giving Meret no chance.

Incredibly, the game was turned on its head within 90 seconds, as Politano got into a tangle playing out from the back, Nzola intercepted and placed a low right-foot finish into the far bottom corner, putting Fiorentina in front.

𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐓 strike from M'Bala Nzola to give Fiorentina the lead! 🍬

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After the restart, Meret needed a tough save to palm a Nico Gonzalez curler out of the top corner from the edge of the area, while Jens Cajuste turned over after a Pietro Terracciano one-handed save on Giovanni Simeone.

If the Biraghi free kick was good, then the Kvaratskhelia effort was simply astounding. It was a good 25 metres out and bent with precision and power into the near top corner, again giving the goalkeeper no chance.

MY GOODNESS KHVICHA KVARATSKHELIA 😱

From DEEP 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3qRFWIcbkO

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 17, 2024

Napoli almost turned the game around completely moments later, Politano drilling low to bounce off the base of the upright.

Meret fingertipped a Nico Gonzalez free kick over the bar and Terracciano parried a Politano counter-attack at the near post.

Fiorentina were awarded a penalty at the 80^th minute, but it was revoked following a VAR On-Field Review, as Lobotka got the ball first and made absolutely minimal contact with Andrea Belotti, who was already going down.

Napoli pushed for the winner in stoppages, Giacomo Raspadori’s angled drive going through Nikola Milenkovic’s legs and just wide.