MILAN (AP) — Defending champion Napoli recorded a comfortable 2-0 win at Lazio to move second in Serie A on Sunday as it continued its good form from the end of 2025.
Leonardo Spinazzola and Amir Rrahmani scored in the first half of Napoli's first match of 2026.
There was a bad-tempered finish, with three red cards in the final 10 minutes.
Lazio defender Adam Marušić and Napoli counterpart Pasquale Mazzocchi were sent off after getting into a scuffle, that descended into a brawl with Napoli coach Antonio Conte trying to separate the two sides.
Lazio forward Tijjani Noslin had already been sent off in the 81st minute following a second yellow card.
Napoli moved a point below Serie A leader AC Milan and one above Inter Milan, which was playing against Bologna later.
Inter hosts Napoli next weekend.
Napoli had ended last year in fine form with a 2-0 victory over Cremonese, shortly afterwinning the Italian Super Cup.
The visitors took the lead in the 13th minute. Matteo Politano twisted and turned down the right flank before putting in a cross for Spinazzola to volley home.
Napoli doubled its advantage in the 33rd when Rrahmani headed a Politano free kick into the bottom right corner.
The only negative note for Napoli — apart from the red card — was the sight of David Neres having to be helped off in the 70th minute after the in-form winger went down with an apparent ankle problem, adding to the team's already lengthy injury list.
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