MONOPOLI, Italy (March 23, 2026) (Interstat) — Monopoli opened its Serie C campaign with a 2-1 victory over favored Benevento on Monday at Stadio Vito Simone Veneziani.

Benevento entered with a 70% probability to win, but Monopoli’s Salvatore Longo scored twice. He opened the scoring in the 38th minute before Benevento’s Matteo Della Morte equalized in first-half stoppage time. Longo secured the win with his second goal in the 68th minute. The result defied a pregame projection of a 1-1 draw.

The win gives Monopoli a perfect start in league play, while Benevento begins its season with a loss.