Mantova secured a valuable 2-1 home win against Sampdoria in a thrilling Italian Serie B encounter on February 21, 2026. The result was a significant upset, boosting Mantova's survival hopes and dealing a blow to Sampdoria's promotion push. Mantova flew out of the blocks, scoring two quick goals in the opening 20 minutes to stun the visitors. Sampdoria regrouped and pulled one back just before halftime through a penalty, setting up a tense second half. The away side dominated possession after the break but found Mantova's defense and goalkeeper in inspired form, denying several clear chances. The home team held on through a nervy period of stoppage time to claim a famous victory. This match result provided a massive morale boost for Mantova, lifting them out of the relegation zone, while Sampdoria's inconsistency was again exposed. The Mantova manager hailed his team's spirit, saying, "The heart and fight we showed today was incredible." The Sampdoria coach was critical, stating, "We started poorly and paid the price. We must be better." Both teams deployed their strongest available starting lineups for this crucial fixture.