Napoli beat Fiorentina 3-1 to maintain perfect Serie A start with debut goals from Højlund and Beukema

Napoli 3-1 Fiorentina continued Napoli’s perfect Serie A start as they beat Fiorentina away at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. The visitors attacked from the whistle, pressing high and moving the ball quickly. They earned a sixth-minute penalty, which Kevin De Bruyne converted to open the scoring. Napoli kept the pressure on and soon doubled their lead courtesy of a clinical finish from Rasmus Højlund on his Napoli debut. The second half brought a third, as Sam Beukema scored on his first appearance for the club. Fiorentina pulled a late consolation through Luca Ranieri, but Napoli controlled the game throughout. Conte’s squad showed depth and intent, hinting at a title bid this season. This result sends a strong message across Serie A about Napoli’s ambitions and their capacity to win even when facing challenges away from home.

De Bruyne converts early penalty to open scoring

Kevin De Bruyne produced the decisive moment in the sixth minute with a well-taken penalty after a foul on a Napoli attacker inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot and De Bruyne did not hesitate. He drove the ball to the left of the keeper, sending him the wrong way. The strike settled nerves and set the tone for an expectant Napoli performance. Fiorentina attempted to respond through quick passes in midfield, but Napoli’s pressing squad kept their shape. The visitors dictated the tempo, moving the ball with speed and precision. A disciplined high press disrupted Fiorentina in their own half, forcing errors and creating chances. Napoli kept the ball in front of Fiorentina’s back line and looked to exploit the channels. The opening goal energised Napoli’s attackers and gave them a platform to build from. The early success tempered Fiorentina’s crowd and lifted Napoli’s spirits. For more context on the league’s pace, see the official Serie A site Serie A.

Højlund nets on Napoli debut

Moments after the restart, Rasmus Højlund marked his Napoli debut with a clinical finish, doubling the visitors’ lead. A rapid counterattack tore through Fiorentina’s right flank, and a pinpoint pass found the Dane in space just outside the box. He struck first time, low and precise, leaving the goalkeeper with little chance. Højlund’s goal underscored Napoli’s goalscoring threat and their willingness to rely on fresh faces to deliver. Conte had already signalled that the squad would rotate, keeping players fresh across a demanding schedule. Højlund celebrated with teammates, and his celebration was echoed by a chorus of Napoli supporters inside Franchi. The goal extended Napoli’s advantage and reinforced the visitors’ control of the match. The striker’s movement and finishing tempo suggested a productive partnership with the wingers and midfield runners, a theme Napoli will likely pursue in coming weeks. More background on Højlund’s arrival can be found on Napoli’s official site Napoli official.

Beukema scores on first Napoli appearance

Beukema capped his first Napoli appearance with a well-placed tap-in, arriving at the far post to convert a low cross from the left. The second-half goal came as Fiorentina attempted to reorganise after conceding a second, and the Napoli attack continued to probe with quick interchanges. Beukema’s goal underlined Napoli’s depth across the frontline, providing Conte with a reliable option off the bench or in wider areas. The defender’s timing and positioning were spot on, allowing him to sweep home from close range after a sustained build-up. Beukema’s contribution added to a strong collective performance and gave Napoli a comfortable buffer as the clock ticked on. The goal also highlighted Napoli’s reliance on versatile players who can adapt to different roles within Conte’s system. For further reading on how Napoli blends youth with experience, visit Serie A coverage at Serie A.

Luca Ranieri pulls one back for Fiorentina

Late on, Luca Ranieri pulled a consolation goal for Fiorentina, sprinting onto a loose ball and guiding a composed strike past the Napoli keeper. It was a sign of resilience from Fiorentina, who had pressed to create something meaningful in the closing stages. Ranieri’s goal provided the Viola with a spark of optimism, yet Napoli remained in control and limited late risk. The finish also demonstrated Fiorentina’s ability to find scoring opportunities against a well-drilled Napoli defence. Despite the goal, the result never looked in serious doubt, and Napoli’s dominance across the 90 minutes was clear. The Viola supporters could at least take a moment to acknowledge a late effort, even as the visitors extended their advantage on the table. For more on Fiorentina’s response, see their official site Fiorentina.

Conte’s Napoli show depth and top the table

Antonio Conte’s Napoli showcased depth, composure, and pressing intensity throughout the encounter. The squad’s versatility allowed for quick shifts in shape and tempo, keeping Fiorentina under pressure. With a blend of experienced figures and fresh faces, Napoli demonstrated they can rotate without sacrificing intensity or results. The performance also reinforced Napoli’s position at the top of the Serie A table, underscoring their intent to challenge across the campaign. Conte’s selection decisions paid off as multiple players contributed to the forward momentum, ensuring Napoli could ride out periods of pressure and maintain control. The result underlined Napoli’s title ambitions and suggested a season of complex challenges for rivals. For ongoing updates on Napoli’s campaign, follow official updates at Napoli’s site Napoli official.