Japan center-back Takehiro Tomiyasu netted his first goal of the Serie A season on Wednesday to help Bologna claw their way back for a 2-2 home draw against Atalanta.

Bologna looked in trouble at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara after Atalanta took a 2-0 lead in the first half following two goals in quick succession from striker Luis Muriel.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (R) in Bologna, Italy, on Dec. 23, 2020. (Kyodo)

The Colombia international struck from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute, then scored his brace a minute later from a counterattack.

But the visitors missed chances to extend the lead before the 22-year-old Tomiyasu led the fightback with a highlight goal in the 73rd minute.

Showing rare speed and finishing touch for his position, Tomiyasu dribbled from inside his own half and exchanged passes with winger Riccardo Orsolini that freed the 188-centimeter center-back to sprint into the box and chip over Atalanta keeper Pierluigi Gollini.

Argentine defender Nehuen Paz equalized from a corner in the 82nd minute to grab a share of the points for Bologna, who sit 13th in the standings going into Italian soccer's Christmas break.

Also in the Italian top flight, Japan captain Maya Yoshida assisted Fabio Quagliarella's 55th minute goal as Sampdoria equalized 1-1 against Sassuolo, before eventually going down 3-2 at home.

In the Dutch first division, AZ Alkmaar right-back Yukinari Sugawara assisted Ferdy Druijf's 75th-minute goal in their side's 3-1 win over visiting Vitesse.

Elsewhere in the Eredivisie, Japanese defenders Sai van Wermeskerken and Yuta Nakayama each registered an assist in Zwolle's 2-0 win away to Den Haag.


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