Sassuolo's Hamed Junior Traore celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during a Serie A soccer match between Sassuolo and Verona, at the Mapei stadium, in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Saturday, March 13, 2021. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
MILAN (AP) - Sassuolo boosted its chances of qualifying for the Europa League by beating Hellas Verona 3-2 on Saturday to leapfrog its opponent into eighth place in Serie A.
Manuel Locatelli got Sassuolo off to the perfect start by firing the hosts in front in the fourth minute but Darko Lazović leveled two minutes before halftime.
Filip ÄuriÄić restored Sassuolo's lead shortly after the break. Federico Dimarco volleyed in another equalizer in the 79th but Hamed Traorè scored what was to prove the winner three minutes later.
It was a tense finale and Verona coach Ivan Jurić was sent off for dissent in the dying minutes.
Sassuolo moved a point above Verona and eight points below sixth-place Napoli.
FIRST-HALF HAT TRICK
Dušan Vlahović scored a first-half hat trick to set Fiorentina on its way to a 4-1 victory at fellow struggler Benevento.
Vlahović scored his first goal with less than eight minutes on the clock, then doubled his tally in the 26th when he tapped in a rebound. The Serbia forward saved his best to last with a sensational curled effort from 25 yards in first-half stoppage time.
Artur Ioniță headed in a consolation for Benevento 11 minutes after the break and the visitors had chances to reduce the deficit still further. But Valentin Eysseric sealed the match in the 75th.
Fiorentina moved three points above Benevento and nine above the drop zone, although it has played three matches more than 18th-place Torino.
Genoa played Udinese later Saturday.
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Sassuolo's Hamed Junior Traore celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during a Serie A soccer match between Sassuolo and Verona, at the Mapei stadium, in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Saturday, March 13, 2021. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
Sassuolo's Filip Djuricic, scores his side's second goal during a Serie A soccer match b between Sassuolo and Verona, at the Mapei stadium, in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Saturday, March 13, 2021. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
Sassuolo's Filip Djuricic celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during a Serie A soccer match between Sassuolo and Verona, at the Mapei stadium, in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Saturday, March 13, 2021. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
Sassuolo players celebrate after their teammate Manuel Locatelli scored their side's first goal during a Serie A soccer match b between Sassuolo and Verona, at the Mapei stadium, in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Saturday, March 13, 2021. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
Sassuolo's Manuel Locatelli, left, scores his side's first goal during a Serie A soccer match b between Sassuolo and Verona, at the Mapei stadium, in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Saturday, March 13, 2021. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
Fiorentina's Dusan Vlahovic, left, scored his side's third goal and personal hat trick. during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Benevento and Fiorentina at the Vigorito stadium in Benevento, Italy, Saturday, March 13, 2021. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
Fiorentina's Dusan Vlahovic celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Benevento and Fiorentina at the Vigorito stadium in Benevento, Italy, Saturday, March 13, 2021. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
Fiorentina's Dusan Vlahovic scores his side's second goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Benevento and Fiorentina at the Vigorito stadium in Benevento, Italy, Saturday, March 13, 2021. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
Fiorentina's Dusan Vlahovic, center, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal and personal hat trick. during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Benevento and Fiorentina at the Vigorito stadium in Benevento, Italy, Saturday, March 13, 2021. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press