FC Vado and US Sambenedettese shared the points in a thrilling 2-2 draw in Italian Serie C on Saturday night, with the visitors twice coming from behind to deny Vado a home victory. The match was full of energy and incident, and a late equaliser ensured the spoils were split.

Vado start strongly

Vado began the match on the front foot, pressing high and forcing Sambenedettese into early mistakes. Their reward came in the 22nd minute when Matteo Rizzo found space at the near post and flicked a header into the net. The home side’s lead was deserved, and they continued to look dangerous on the counter.

Sambenedettese responded well, gradually settling into the game and finding space in wide areas. Their equaliser arrived in the 37th minute through Davide Conti, who beat the offside trap and finished calmly one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The goal changed the complexion of the match, and both sides went into half-time knowing the game was finely balanced.

Late drama at both ends

Vado regained the lead in the 61st minute when Lorenzo Bianchi curled a free-kick over the wall and into the top corner. It was a moment of real quality and looked as though it might be enough for the home side. However, Sambenedettese refused to lie down and pushed more players forward as the match wore on.

The equaliser came in the 87th minute. A deep cross from the left was met by Andrea Marchetti, whose header looped beyond the goalkeeper and into the far corner. The goal sparked wild celebrations on the away bench and left Vado frustrated after another strong attacking display.

Key moments

• 22’ — Matteo Rizzo heads Vado into the lead.
• 37’ — Davide Conti equalises for Sambenedettese.
• 61’ — Lorenzo Bianchi scores a superb free-kick to restore Vado’s lead.
• 87’ — Andrea Marchetti heads in a late equaliser.

Tactical story and standout players

Vado’s attacking intent was clear from the outset, with their full-backs pushing high and the midfield looking to play forward quickly. Bianchi was the standout performer, not only for his goal but for his constant movement and ability to find pockets of space. Sambenedettese showed great character, though, and their willingness to keep crossing into the box eventually paid off. Conti’s pace caused problems all evening, and Marchetti’s late header was a reward for his persistence.

What the result means

The draw leaves both sides with positive and negative feelings. Vado will be disappointed to have conceded late, especially after taking the lead twice, while Sambenedettese will take confidence from another battling away performance. In the Italian Serie C table, the point keeps both teams in the mix and highlights the competitive nature of the division, where matches are frequently decided in the final minutes.