Lazio have booked their place in the Coppa Italia final after overcoming Atalanta in a tense semi-final decided by penalties, with Senegal international Boulaye Dia an unused substitute as the Italian side progressed.
The Rome club secured a 2-1 victory in the shootout following a 1-1 draw on the night in Bergamo, which left the tie level at 3-3 on aggregate.
Goalkeeper Edoardo Motta emerged as the decisive figure, producing a standout performance by saving four penalties to send Lazio through.
The result sets up a final against Inter Milan on May 13, after the Serie A leaders advanced from their own semi-final against Como.
For Dia, the evening was one of anticipation rather than action.
The Senegal forward remained on the bench throughout the contest, watching as his teammates navigated a dramatic and closely fought encounter to reach the final.
The tie had been evenly balanced from the outset, following a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Rome.
However, the return fixture began cautiously, with both teams struggling to create clear chances in a subdued opening half.
Atalanta thought they had taken control shortly after the break when Ederson converted from close range following a goalmouth scramble.
But the effort was ruled out after a lengthy VAR review, with officials identifying a foul on Motta in the build-up, much to the frustration of the home crowd.
That decision proved pivotal, as Lazio struck late to seize the initiative.
Alessio Romagnoli broke the deadlock in the 84th minute, reacting quickly inside the penalty area to finish from close range against a static defence.
Yet the lead was short-lived. Just two minutes later, Mario Pasalic equalised for Atalanta with a low strike from distance that took a deflection on its way into the net, ensuring the contest remained finely poised.
The closing stages of normal time brought further drama.
Gianluca Scamacca came close to winning it for Atalanta, but his powerful header was tipped onto the post by Motta, who once again proved crucial in keeping Lazio in the tie.
Extra time followed, but neither side was able to find a decisive goal.
Atalanta had another effort disallowed for offside, and the match eventually moved to a penalty shootout.
It was there that Motta delivered a match-winning display.
The Lazio goalkeeper saved all but one of Atalanta’s attempts, while Kenneth Taylor and Gustav Isaksen converted their penalties to secure victory.
Lazio’s progression offers a chance to salvage silverware from their campaign, while also highlighting the depth within their squad, even with players like Dia not featuring on the night.
Inter Milan now await in the final, having edged past Como 3-2 in their semi-final tie. With both sides aiming to lift the trophy, the stage is set for a high-stakes showdown.
