Empoli avoided defeat this afternoon thanks to Emanuel Vignato’s 94th minute goal which secured the hosts a 2-2 draw against Spezia in Tuscany.
The visitors took an early lead midway through the opening period thanks to VAR. It ruled Empoli defender Fabiano Parisi should be sent off with the Ligurians awarded a penalty—infuriating manager Paolo Zanetti.
Daniele Verde subsequently scored from the spot before doubling his side’s lead just a few minutes later to give Luca Gotti’s men a 2-0 lead entering the break.
Less than three minutes after halftime, Spezia’s one man advantage disappeared when new arrival Salvatore Esposito was booked for a second time then sent off in the 49th minute.
The visitors did well to fend off Empoli’s attacking onslaught for nearly half an hour until Nicolò Cambiaghi found the back of the net in the 71st minute.
They continued to fight off the hosts and seemed destined for victory—but debutant Emanuel Vignato had other plans.
Just nine minutes after making his first appearance for the club, the 22 year-old collected a rebound and fired a laser from just inside the penalty area past a frozen Bartlomiej Dragowski.
