Jamie Vardy’s 150th career top-flight goal proved a milestone moment, but it was not enough to secure victory as Cremonese were held to a 2-2 draw by Cagliari at the Stadio Giovanni Zini. The result extended the hosts’ winless Serie A run to five matches (D2, L3).

Cremonese made a blistering start in their first top-flight clash with Cagliari in two decades, taking the lead inside four minutes. A lapse in concentration from Yerry Mina allowed the relentless Vardy to pounce inside the penalty area, and the striker selflessly squared for Dennis Johnsen to rifle home from close range.

Vardy then turned provider into goalscorer just before the half-hour mark. The veteran forward slid a low effort through the grasp of Elia Caprile to net his fifth Serie A goal of the season and double Cremonese’s advantage.

Cagliari attempted to respond before the break through Zito Luvumbo, whose energetic display produced two promising efforts. Emil Audero was forced into a sharp save before the winger narrowly missed the target with a long-range strike, allowing Cremonese to head into half-time with a comfortable two-goal cushion.

Davide Nicola’s side, however, were unable to maintain their control after the restart and were punished six minutes into the second half. Michel Adopo exchanged passes neatly with Gennaro Borrelli before driving a low shot from 18 yards past Audero to reduce the deficit.

The visitors thought they had completed the comeback midway through the second half when Sebastiano Esposito finished calmly at the near post, but his celebrations were swiftly halted by the assistant referee’s offside flag.

Cagliari’s persistence eventually paid off late on after Fabio Pisacane introduced 19-year-old Yael Trepy for his Serie A debut. The youngster made an instant impact, needing just four minutes to spin sharply and fire a left-footed strike beyond Audero to rescue a point.

There was a brief moment of late drama when Sebastiano Luperto was shown a straight red card for a clumsy challenge, but a VAR review downgraded the offence to a yellow, allowing Cagliari to finish with 11 men.

The draw leaves Cagliari in 14th place, three points behind Cremonese in 13th, as both sides continue their search for greater consistency.