It wasn’t planned that night, but there was a special moment for 16-year-old debutant Antonio Arena when Roma lose 3-2 to Turin in the Coppa Italia on Tuesday evening: scoring with his first touch in senior football.
Roma were knocked out of the Coppa Italia in the last 16 after goals from Che Adams and Emirhan Ilkhan at the Stadio Olimpico, meaning they miss out on a cup quarter-final against Inter in February.
Advertisement
You can see how the action from Tuesday’s cup clash unfolded on Football Italia’s live blog.
Watch: Arena scores with first touch in Roma debut
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 13: Mario Hermoso of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the Coppa Italia match between AS Roma and Torino FC at Olimpico Stadium on January 13, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
It was at times a turbulent affair from start to finish between the Giallorossi and the Granata in the capital. Mairo Hermoso had already turned the game around by equalizing 30 seconds after coming off the bench.
Advertisement
But the moment of the match fell for Arena, 16, who was making his senior debut against Torino. The Italian youth international pounced in the middle of the box and converted Wesley’s cross with a brilliantly taken header with what was his first touch in the professional game.
“His first touch in professional football for Roma! 😱😱 Antonio Arena, 16, with a fairytale moment to keep Roma’s Coppa Italia hopes alive 👏 pic.twitter.com/18j4vuyp0W
