Modena were pegged back four times by Cagliari in an enthralling Coppa Italia game where both teams battled to a 4-4 draw after extra time, with the hosts ultimately winning the penalty shootout 5-4 this evening at the Stadio Sant'Elia.
The visitors took an early lead in the first half when they were given a slice of luck in the sixth minute.
Stefano Beltrame's headed effort hit the post, but bounced off the back of Cagliari goalkeeper Alessio Cragno and into the net.
After the break, the home side looked on course for a comeback when Daniele Conti converted from the penalty spot, but Modena took the lead again through Davide Luppi.
The 24-year-old found the back of the net with around 10 minutes left to play, which appeared to be the winning goal until Samuele Longo struck in the 94th minute to push the match into extra time.
Modena retook the lead for the third time in the 98th minute when Pablo Mariano Granoche sneaked into the box and struck a right-footed shot home.
However, Longo scored his second goal just three minutes later when Andrea Cossu provided the ball for him to blast high into the roof of the net.
The visitors were then awarded a penalty when Nicola Murru drew a foul in the box, and from six yards, Granoche made no mistake.
Just when it seemed like Modena would finally secure the win, Diego Farias got onto the end of a Daniele Conti pass for the game's eighth goal and the progression to penalties.
The penalty shootout would prove just as topsy-turvy as the preceding 120 minutes, with Conti missing his first shot and Wilfred Osuji failing to convert what would have been the winner.
With the shootout now at sudden death, Thiago Cionek missed his effort to gift Cagliari the win, much to the delight of the home fans.
Danielle Joynson
