SASSUOLO, Italy (Interstat) — Substitute Martina Piemonte scored a first-half brace to propel Lazio W to a 2-1 victory over US Sassuolo Calcio in a Serie A Women match on Monday.

The match, played at Stadio Enzo Ricci, saw the visiting Lazio side overcome an early yellow card and defy a statistical projection to secure three points to open their league campaign.

Lazio W’s Jessika Nash received a yellow card in the 18th minute, followed swiftly by a booking for Sassuolo’s Emma Martin in the 21st, setting a physical tone for the contest. The breakthrough came from the bench, as Piemonte entered the fray and made an immediate impact. She opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, then doubled Lazio W’s advantage just nine minutes later in the 42nd minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to stun the home crowd.

Piemonte’s two-goal performance provided the decisive margin, though the home side fought back after the interval. Sassuolo’s Maya Doms, operating in midfield, provided a lifeline in the 71st minute with a well-taken goal, assisted by fellow substitute Emma Martin. The goal ignited a final push from the hosts, but Lazio W’s defense, anchored by the earlier work of Nash who also contributed an assist, held firm to see out the match.

The result marked a successful start to the Serie A Women season for Lazio W, who began their league campaign with a win. The club’s overall record across all competitions now stands at one win and no losses. For US Sassuolo Calcio, the defeat meant an opening day setback, as the club seeks its first victory of the season in both league and overall play.

The outcome contrasted with a key pregame projection. Interstat’s game simulator had forecast a 1-1 draw, while the organization’s ELO rating system gave Lazio W a strong 86.70 percent probability to win outright. Piemonte’s clinical finishing ultimately validated the latter statistical confidence, proving the difference on the pitch.

The match showcased the impact of tactical substitutions, with both of Lazio W’s goals and Sassuolo’s lone goal involving players introduced from the bench. The victory provides Lazio W with early momentum in the Italian top flight, while Sassuolo is left to analyze a defensive performance that conceded two quick goals and an attack that could not find an equalizer despite a spirited second-half response.