Udinese and Como draw 1-1 as Douvikas cancels out Kamara opener in Serie A

First-half deadlock broken

The opening round of the Serie A campaign at Bluenergy Stadium featured Kosta Runjaic's Udinese hosting Cesc Fàbregas's Como on Saturday, 22 August 2026. The visitors generated early momentum through forward runs by Anastasios Douvikas and Nico Paz, but both attacks were halted near the penalty area by Palma and Solet. Como continued to test the wings with deliveries from Rodriguez, while Udinese answered with long-range efforts from Jakub Piotrowski and Hassane Kamara. Kamara broke the deadlock in the 28th minute by running onto a pass from Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, anticipating goalkeeper Jean Butez on a low exit, and lifting a lob into the net. Before the interval, Como pushed forward on set pieces, but goalkeeper Maduka Okoye pushed Douvikas's header over the crossbar.

Second-half resurgence and equalizer

Como began the second period with immediate pressure in Udinese's half. Nico Paz produced an early shot from distance, though Okoye parried the attempt away from danger. The visitors converted their pressure into an equalizer in the 54th minute following a corner kick. A scramble developed in the six-yard box after Okoye stopped a header from Chalobah, allowing Douvikas to pounce on the loose ball and finish from close range. The goal marked the Greek striker's first tally of the 2026-27 season after finishing as Como's top scorer in the previous campaign.

End-to-end chances after substitutions

The match opened up as both managers made tactical changes to pursue a winning goal. Fàbregas gave a debut to youth player Liberali, who created an opening in the attacking third shortly after entering. Udinese countered through Pape Gueye, who found himself in a one-on-one situation against Butez but misdirected his finish. Como responded on the break as Douvikas turned with his back to goal and forced another stop from Okoye, while Ekkelenkamp saw an opportunity denied at the opposing end.

Late opportunities in stoppage time

The final minutes produced clear scoring chances for both teams. Udinese midfielder Nicolò Zaniolo set up Vakoun Bayo with a pass across the face of goal, but Bayo sent his attempt over the crossbar with the net open. Como answered in the 95th minute during stoppage time from a corner delivery. Ramon directed a header past Okoye, but the ball struck the crossbar with thirty seconds remaining before the final whistle. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, giving both clubs one point on matchday one.