

Atalanta defeated Empoli 2-1 in Serie A thanks to a late goal from Rasmus Winther Hojlund who came in as a substitute and also helped his team increase their prospects of making the Champions League. Within seven minutes of coming off the bench, Winther Hojlund had scored the game-winning goal. Tyronne Ebuehi had given Empoli the lead, but Marten de Roon had canceled it out.
Four minutes from the match ending, Mario Pasalic missed a shot, but the ball fell to Winther Hojlund, who scored to give Atalanta three points. The victory ended Atalanta's losing streak and moved them closer to fourth-placed AC Milan, who will be visiting Udinese on Saturday, by three points. Empoli continued to be nine points above the danger zone. In another match, Sassuolo won their fourth straight game when they defeated relegation-threatened Spezia 1-0.