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'Perfect tribute to Maradona' - Fans react as Napoli won Scudetto for the first time since 1987

Napoli earned their first Italian Serie A title in 33 years on Thursday, with a 1-1 draw at Udinese. Here's how fans reacted.

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Napoli (Source: Twitter)

Napoli Napoli (Source: Twitter)

Napoli earned their first Italian Serie A title in 33 years on Thursday, with a 1-1 draw at Udinese. With only a draw needed to establish an unassailable 16-point lead with five games remaining, Serie A's leading scorer, Victor Osimhen, equalised for Napoli in the 52nd minute, sparking wild celebrations throughout Naples, inside Udine's stadium, and beyond.

The trophy is Napoli's third in Italy's top flight and their first since famed Argentine star Diego Maradona led them to titles in 1987 and 1990. Following Maradona's death in November 2020, Napoli's home stadium was renamed in his honour. Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti said the impact of Maradona was "felt in this success."

"Napoli, this is for you," he added. "There are people here who will be able to get through difficult moments in their lives because they remember this moment. These people deserve all the joy", he said.

Napoli failed to capitalise on the opportunity on Sunday

Napoli had a chance to clinch the title at home on Sunday but surrendered a late equalise to Salernitana, extending the wait by four days. They went into Thursday's game believing that a point would be enough, even though Lazio had defeated Sassuolo the day before. At the final whistle, however, celebrating fans invaded the pitch in Udine, while fireworks and delirium erupted in Naples.

However, the celebrations led to a tragic death of a fan. According to a local government official, one man died from gunshot wounds and seven others were hurt overnight in Naples when the southern Italian city erupted in celebration of its football team's win. "You always told me, 'We want to win,' and now we've won. We've won all together," Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis told the crowd at the Naples stadium before he embraced Naples Mayor Gaetano Manfredi.

Here is how fans react to Napoli's victory: