Dybala's stunning free-kick puts Roma ahead against Cannes
Match Report·26 July 2026·1h ago

Dybala's stunning free-kick puts Roma ahead against Cannes

Source: Il Romanista

Paulo Dybala opened the scoring in Roma's first-half friendly against Cannes in France with a superb set-piece finish. The Argentine playmaker initially elected not to take a direct free-kick, instead laying the ball off to Donyell Malen. A subsequent phase of play resulted in another free-kick opportunity on the edge of the box, which Dybala converted with a perfectly struck effort under Gian Piero Gasperini's watch.

The goal showcased Dybala's quality from dead-ball situations and gave Roma an early advantage in the pre-season fixture. The friendly provided valuable minutes for Gasperini's squad as the club continues preparations ahead of the upcoming competitive campaign.

● AI Generated Summary

This summary was generated by an AI model. Always read the source for complete and accurate information.

Story Coverage2 sources on this story

AS Roma faced Cannes in a pre-season friendly in France on Friday, with the match streamed live on DAZN. Paulo Dybala gave Roma an early advantage with a stunning free-kick goal in the first half. According to Il Romanista, the Argentine playmaker initially laid the ball off to Donyell Malen before converting a subsequent free-kick opportunity from the edge of the box with a perfectly struck effort. The friendly marked Roma's first official pre-season fixture under new manager Gian Piero Gasperini, following earlier test matches against the Primavera and Trastevere at Trigoria. The match at Stade Pierre de Coubertin on the Côte d'Azur provided valuable minutes as the club continues its summer preparations ahead of the upcoming Serie A campaign.

AI synthesis of all sources below — always check the originals.

Testo Originale / Source Text

Nel primo tempo dell'amichevole in Francia contro il Cannes, è stato Paulo Dybala a sbloccare il risultato. Il fantasista argentino ha scelto di non tirare su un calcio di punizione, servendo Malen: dagli sviluppi di quell'azione si è arrivati a una nuova punizione dal limite. A quel punto Paulo…

Read the full article in Italian at Il Romanista.

Read original on Il Romanista

More Match Report

Dybala unstoppable: Roma's third goal at Cannes
Match Report AI
1h ago

Dybala unstoppable: Roma's third goal at Cannes

Paulo Dybala scored Roma's third goal in their match against Cannes, capping a dominant performance after coming on in the second half. Launched down the right flank, Dybala cut inside onto his left foot and finished clinically across the goalkeeper to the near post, extending Roma's lead to 3–0. The Argentina international had already made an impact from the moment he entered the pitch, first delivering a spectacular free kick to put Roma ahead, then providing the assist for Malen's goal that doubled the lead. Dybala's brace of contributions highlighted Roma's attacking fluency in what proved a commanding display away from home. The performance underscored the quality available to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as Roma continue their preparations, with Dybala demonstrating the form and precision that have made him a focal point of the team's attacking play this season.

Il RomanistaRead original →
Dybala and Malen combine for Roma's second goal in Cannes friendly
Match Report AI
1h ago

Dybala and Malen combine for Roma's second goal in Cannes friendly

Roma went 2–0 up against Cannes in a friendly despite playing with ten men for part of the first half after Wesley was sent off. Paulo Dybala opened the scoring from a free kick, then set up Dybala's second goal just before half-time. Malen finished from close range after Dybala's serpentine run into the box and a slightly overhit pass that fell invitingly to the striker, who made no mistake. The partnership between Dybala and Malen proved decisive in the opening period, with the Argentine playmaker pulling strings despite Roma's numerical disadvantage. The clinical finishing—both from distance and in the box—highlighted the attacking potential in Gian Piero Gasperini's squad as pre-season preparations continue.

Il RomanistaRead original →
Roma beat Cannes but Wesley's red card sparks controversy as Gasperini protests
Match Report AI
2h ago

Roma beat Cannes but Wesley's red card sparks controversy as Gasperini protests

Roma produced a commanding performance against Cannes, with Paulo Dybala in outstanding form orchestrating the attack. The Argentine playmaker set up Donyell Malen's goal and opened the scoring himself with a free-kick, establishing Roma's control in the first half. However, the match was overshadowed by a controversial second yellow card shown to Wesley for what appeared to be a minor midfield challenge. The decision left Gasperini visibly incredulous on the bench, with the Roma head coach protesting the referee's decision. Wesley's dismissal forced Roma to play the entire second half with ten men, though they maintained their two-goal advantage. Dybala's performance was the standout feature of Roma's first-half display, as he guided his teammates through a period of increased intensity after a slow opening. The Argentine was named the undisputed MVP of the opening 45 minutes. Despite being reduced to ten players following Wesley's controversial red card, Roma's attacking superiority and advantage from their two-goal lead offered them realistic prospects of seeing out the match.

More on Paulo Dybala

Player profile →
Dybala unstoppable: Roma's third goal at Cannes
Match Report AI
1h ago

Dybala unstoppable: Roma's third goal at Cannes

Paulo Dybala scored Roma's third goal in their match against Cannes, capping a dominant performance after coming on in the second half. Launched down the right flank, Dybala cut inside onto his left foot and finished clinically across the goalkeeper to the near post, extending Roma's lead to 3–0. The Argentina international had already made an impact from the moment he entered the pitch, first delivering a spectacular free kick to put Roma ahead, then providing the assist for Malen's goal that doubled the lead. Dybala's brace of contributions highlighted Roma's attacking fluency in what proved a commanding display away from home. The performance underscored the quality available to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as Roma continue their preparations, with Dybala demonstrating the form and precision that have made him a focal point of the team's attacking play this season.

Il RomanistaRead original →
Dybala and Malen combine for Roma's second goal in Cannes friendly
Match Report AI
1h ago

Dybala and Malen combine for Roma's second goal in Cannes friendly

Roma went 2–0 up against Cannes in a friendly despite playing with ten men for part of the first half after Wesley was sent off. Paulo Dybala opened the scoring from a free kick, then set up Dybala's second goal just before half-time. Malen finished from close range after Dybala's serpentine run into the box and a slightly overhit pass that fell invitingly to the striker, who made no mistake. The partnership between Dybala and Malen proved decisive in the opening period, with the Argentine playmaker pulling strings despite Roma's numerical disadvantage. The clinical finishing—both from distance and in the box—highlighted the attacking potential in Gian Piero Gasperini's squad as pre-season preparations continue.

Il RomanistaRead original →
Roma beat Cannes but Wesley's red card sparks controversy as Gasperini protests
Match Report AI
2h ago

Roma beat Cannes but Wesley's red card sparks controversy as Gasperini protests

Roma produced a commanding performance against Cannes, with Paulo Dybala in outstanding form orchestrating the attack. The Argentine playmaker set up Donyell Malen's goal and opened the scoring himself with a free-kick, establishing Roma's control in the first half. However, the match was overshadowed by a controversial second yellow card shown to Wesley for what appeared to be a minor midfield challenge. The decision left Gasperini visibly incredulous on the bench, with the Roma head coach protesting the referee's decision. Wesley's dismissal forced Roma to play the entire second half with ten men, though they maintained their two-goal advantage. Dybala's performance was the standout feature of Roma's first-half display, as he guided his teammates through a period of increased intensity after a slow opening. The Argentine was named the undisputed MVP of the opening 45 minutes. Despite being reduced to ten players following Wesley's controversial red card, Roma's attacking superiority and advantage from their two-goal lead offered them realistic prospects of seeing out the match.

More on Donyell Malen

Player profile →
Dybala unstoppable: Roma's third goal at Cannes
Match Report AI
1h ago

Dybala unstoppable: Roma's third goal at Cannes

Paulo Dybala scored Roma's third goal in their match against Cannes, capping a dominant performance after coming on in the second half. Launched down the right flank, Dybala cut inside onto his left foot and finished clinically across the goalkeeper to the near post, extending Roma's lead to 3–0. The Argentina international had already made an impact from the moment he entered the pitch, first delivering a spectacular free kick to put Roma ahead, then providing the assist for Malen's goal that doubled the lead. Dybala's brace of contributions highlighted Roma's attacking fluency in what proved a commanding display away from home. The performance underscored the quality available to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as Roma continue their preparations, with Dybala demonstrating the form and precision that have made him a focal point of the team's attacking play this season.

Il RomanistaRead original →
Dybala and Malen combine for Roma's second goal in Cannes friendly
Match Report AI
1h ago

Dybala and Malen combine for Roma's second goal in Cannes friendly

Roma went 2–0 up against Cannes in a friendly despite playing with ten men for part of the first half after Wesley was sent off. Paulo Dybala opened the scoring from a free kick, then set up Dybala's second goal just before half-time. Malen finished from close range after Dybala's serpentine run into the box and a slightly overhit pass that fell invitingly to the striker, who made no mistake. The partnership between Dybala and Malen proved decisive in the opening period, with the Argentine playmaker pulling strings despite Roma's numerical disadvantage. The clinical finishing—both from distance and in the box—highlighted the attacking potential in Gian Piero Gasperini's squad as pre-season preparations continue.

Il RomanistaRead original →
Roma beat Cannes but Wesley's red card sparks controversy as Gasperini protests
Match Report AI
2h ago

Roma beat Cannes but Wesley's red card sparks controversy as Gasperini protests

Roma produced a commanding performance against Cannes, with Paulo Dybala in outstanding form orchestrating the attack. The Argentine playmaker set up Donyell Malen's goal and opened the scoring himself with a free-kick, establishing Roma's control in the first half. However, the match was overshadowed by a controversial second yellow card shown to Wesley for what appeared to be a minor midfield challenge. The decision left Gasperini visibly incredulous on the bench, with the Roma head coach protesting the referee's decision. Wesley's dismissal forced Roma to play the entire second half with ten men, though they maintained their two-goal advantage. Dybala's performance was the standout feature of Roma's first-half display, as he guided his teammates through a period of increased intensity after a slow opening. The Argentine was named the undisputed MVP of the opening 45 minutes. Despite being reduced to ten players following Wesley's controversial red card, Roma's attacking superiority and advantage from their two-goal lead offered them realistic prospects of seeing out the match.

Feedback