Benevento 2-2 Vicenza: Rizzo Brace Rescues Point in Serie B Goal Fest

Benevento and Vicenza drew 2-2 in Italian Serie B on Saturday night at Stadio Ciro Vigorito, with Matteo Rizzo scoring twice for the hosts in a back-and-forth contest. Vicenza twice held the lead, but Benevento’s persistence earned a share of the points and extended their unbeaten home run.

Match overview

Vicenza made the brighter start and went ahead in the 17th minute when Luca Bianchi finished a quick counter-attack with a low strike across the goalkeeper. Benevento responded well and equalised in the 38th minute through Rizzo, who found space at the edge of the box and curled a shot into the bottom corner.

The visitors retook the lead just after the hour mark when a corner was headed home at the near post. Benevento pushed forward in search of another equaliser and got their reward in the 84th minute when Rizzo arrived late in the box to convert a cut-back. Both sides had chances to win it in stoppage time, but the goalkeepers stood firm.

• Possession: Benevento 58% – 42% Vicenza
• Shots: Benevento 16 – 11 Vicenza
• Shots on target: Benevento 6 – 5 Vicenza
• Corners: Benevento 7 – 4 Vicenza

Key moments

• 17th minute: Vicenza took the lead through Bianchi after a fast break down the left.
• 38th minute: Benevento equalised when Rizzo curled a shot from the edge of the area.
• 61st minute: Vicenza restored their advantage with a header from a corner.
• 76th minute: Benevento hit the crossbar with a powerful effort from distance.
• 84th minute: Rizzo scored his second, finishing a low cut-back from close range.
• 90+3: Vicenza’s goalkeeper made a late save to deny Benevento a winner.

Tactical story

Benevento controlled the ball for long periods, using a 4-3-3 shape that allowed their full-backs to advance and their midfielders to occupy the spaces between Vicenza’s lines. The home side’s best chances came from sustained pressure around the box, with Rizzo drifting into dangerous pockets and linking play intelligently.

Vicenza were happy to defend in a 3-5-2 block and attack through quick transitions. Their first goal was a perfect example of that approach, and their second came from a set piece. Benevento’s response was to increase the tempo and push more bodies into the box, which eventually paid off when Rizzo arrived late for the equaliser.

Standout players

Rizzo was the standout performer, scoring twice and constantly finding space between Vicenza’s midfield and defence. Bianchi was Vicenza’s most dangerous outlet, using his pace to stretch the home defence and opening the scoring with a composed finish. Benevento’s goalkeeper also made an important late save, while Vicenza’s centre-backs produced several crucial blocks under pressure.

Table impact

The draw keeps Benevento in the hunt in the Serie B standings, although they will rue not turning possession into a winning scoreline. Vicenza will view the point as a useful away result against a promotion rival, but conceding late will sting. Both teams remain in the thick of the early-season race, and this entertaining draw underlined how competitive the division is at both ends of the table.