Empoli, struggling to avoid relegation, needed a win to stay in the top flight. However, their chances were made more difficult when they lost striker Lorenzo Colombo to a second yellow card just before halftime.

The visitors started strongly, taking the lead within the first minute when Elseid Hysaj's chip into the area found Boulaye Dia, who controlled the ball well and scored past Devis Vásquez.

Empoli responded well to the early setback, but their task became even harder without Colombo. They thought they had equalized six minutes after the restart when Junior Sambia's free-kick was headed onto a Lazio player by Ola Solbakken, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR check.

Empoli searched for inspiration, but Hysaj's second yellow card levelled the playing field in the final stages. Despite their best efforts, Empoli couldn't find an equalizer, while Lazio created some dangerous moments of their own in the final stages.

Lazio's win lifts them three places to fourth, while Empoli remains 19th, two points from safety with only three league games remaining.

The match's turning point came when Hysaj was given his marching orders, evening out the playing field and making it harder for Empoli to find a way back into the game.

Lazio's Boulaye Dia was the standout player, scoring the winning goal and earning the Man of the Match award.