Crespo's late equalizer denies Juventus victory

January 9, 2000
SportsServer

ROME - Argentine Hernan Crespo scored a last-minute equalizer as Parma recovered from the dismissal of Stefano Torrisi and Dino Baggio to hold Serie A leaders Juventus to an unlikely 1-1 draw on Sunday.

The result extends Juventus's advantage at the top to two points, but second-placed Lazio can now regain the lead if it beats Bologna at the Olympic stadium later on Sunday.

Parma remains third on 31 points, trailing Lazio on goal difference only.

Juventus, which deservedly took the lead through an Alessandro Del Piero penalty in the 69th minute, was left to rue a series of glaring misses in front of goal.

The Turin side had dominated the match and looked like coasting to victory after Torrisi was dismissed for the foul which led to Del Piero's penalty, and Baggio followed his teammate off the pitch in the 77th minute.

But with the match deep into stoppage time, Serie A's top scorer Crespo dribbled into the area, slipped past Ciro Ferrara and beat Dutch 'keeper Edwin Van Der Sar with a diagonal shot for his 12th goal of the season.
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