Lazio moved up to third in Serie A as a second-half penalty by Ciro Immobile secured a 1-0 victory at mid-table Udinese on Sunday and boosted their Champions League qualifying hopes.
Immobile and Luis Alberto had the best chances to break the deadlock for Lazio in the first 45 minutes. Immobile came close with a header, while Alberto's strike brushed the woodwork.
Immobile had another chance to put Lazio ahead just after the break in a one-on-one with Marco Silvestri but the keeper produced a remarkable one-handed save to keep him at bay.
With Pedro on the battle, after coming into the game after the break replacing Felipe Anderson, Lazio pushed hard to make the first blood and got a break in the 61st minute when Immobile was fouled by Adam Masina in the box and he converted the penalty.
Udinese, who are 12th with 46 points, thought they had equalised late on through Ilija Nestorovski's header but it was ruled out for offside.
Lazio host relegated Cremonese next Sunday before finishng the season at Empoli on June 4.
- Match stats:
Udinese (3-5-1-1): Silvestri; Perez, Bijol, Masina; Pereyra, Arslan (71' Nestorovski), Walace, Lovric, Udogie (71' Zeegelaar); Samardzic (87' Thauvin); Beto (87' Vivaldo).
SS Lazio (4-3-3): Provedel; Lazzari, Casale, Romagnoli, Hysaj; Milinkovic, Vecino, Luis Alberto; Felipe Anderson (46' Pedro), Immobile, Zaccagni (87' Basic).
Tarjetas amarillas: Luca Pairetto (sez. Nichelino) amonestó a Felipe Anderson (21’), Udogie (39’), Pereyra (72’) y Bijol (90’+1’).
Goles: Immobile (P. 62’).
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