Torino claimed a hard-fought 2-1 Serie A victory over Udinese at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on 13 October 2026, with a late goal settling a contest that had swung back and forth after the interval. The home side controlled long spells of the first half, but Udinese’s equaliser forced Torino to find another gear in the final 15 minutes, and the decisive moment arrived when Nikola Vlasic curled a composed finish beyond the visiting goalkeeper.

Match overview

Torino began the match with intent, pressing Udinese high and forcing turnovers in the middle third. The hosts’ wing-backs pushed aggressively, creating overloads on both flanks, and Udinese struggled to play through the first line of pressure. The reward came midway through the first half when Duvan Zapata opened the scoring from close range after a low cross from the right.

Udinese improved after the break. The visitors adjusted their shape, found more space between Torino’s midfield and defence, and levelled through Lorenzo Lucca with a header from a deep cross. For a period, Udinese looked the more likely side to score next, but Torino regained control with substitutes and a more direct attacking approach. Vlasic’s late winner proved the difference in a match that finished with Torino edging the shot count 14-10 and putting seven efforts on target.

Key moments

• 12th minute: Udinese’s first meaningful attack ended with a low save from Torino’s goalkeeper after a quick counter down the left.
• 24th minute: Torino took the lead when Duvan Zapata turned home a low cross from close range, sparking loud celebrations in the Curva.
• 41st minute: Udinese nearly responded before half-time, but a curling effort from the edge of the box drifted just wide.
• 58th minute: Udinese equalised through Lorenzo Lucca, who rose above his marker to head in from a deep delivery.
• 70th minute: Torino made a double substitution, adding fresh legs in midfield and a more direct runner in attack.
• 81st minute: Nikola Vlasic scored the winner, shifting the ball onto his left foot and curling a precise shot into the far corner.
• 90+4 minutes: Udinese’s final chance was blocked in the box as Torino defended with bodies and composure.

Tactical story

Torino lined up in a 3-4-2-1 system that became a 3-2-5 in possession, with the wing-backs stretching Udinese’s back three and the two attacking midfielders drifting into half-spaces. That structure helped Torino dominate the first half, but Udinese’s switch to a more compact 3-5-2 after the break slowed the hosts’ rhythm and created space for counters through Lucca and Florian Thauvin.

The game turned again when Torino’s coach introduced a more physical forward and moved Vlasic into a freer role behind the striker. Udinese’s midfield could not track the late runs, and Torino’s winning goal came from exactly that pattern: a patient build-up, a sharp turn, and a finish from the edge of the area.

Standout players

Vlasic was Torino’s most creative influence, combining intelligent movement with the match-winning strike. Zapata’s hold-up play gave the hosts a platform throughout, while Samuele Ricci kept the tempo high in midfield and Alessandro Buongiorno defended bravely during Udinese’s best spell. For Udinese, Lucca was a constant aerial threat and Thauvin caused problems whenever he isolated a defender, but the visitors lacked the same cutting edge in the final minutes.

Season impact

The three points lift Torino into the upper half of the Serie A table and strengthen their push for a European qualification place. Udinese remain in mid-table, close enough to the top half to stay optimistic but aware that dropped points in tight away matches could prove costly. For Torino, the manner of the win — controlling early, surviving a difficult spell, and finding a late winner — will feel like an important marker of character in a long Serie A campaign.