Charles De Ketelaere’s hopes of lifting the Coppa Italia with Atalanta ended in heartbreak as the Belgian international missed the decisive spot-kick in the penalty shootout against Lazio.
The match, played on April 22, 2026, finished 1-1 after extra time, sending the Coppa Italia semifinal into a penalty shootout. De Ketelaere, who started the game for Atalanta, stepped up to take what would have been the winning penalty but saw his effort saved, allowing Lazio to advance 4-3 on penalties.
According to the verified match report from the encounter, the game remained tightly contested throughout 120 minutes, with both sides creating chances but failing to break the deadlock during regulation and extra time. The deadlock forced the tie to be settled from the spot, where Lazio held their nerve to secure a place in the final.
De Ketelaere, who joined Atalanta permanently in 2024 after a loan spell the previous season, has been a regular feature in Gian Piero Gasperini’s starting XI this season. The 25-year-old Belgian international, born on March 10, 2001, in Bruges, has made 62 appearances for Atalanta across all competitions since his permanent transfer, scoring 10 goals.
His journey to this point began at Club Brugge, where he broke through as a teenager before a high-profile move to AC Milan in 2022. Limited opportunities in Serie A with the Rossoneri led to a loan move to Atalanta for the 2023-24 season, where he rediscovered his form with 10 goals in 35 appearances, earning a permanent transfer the following summer.
Internationally, De Ketelaere has earned 28 caps for Belgium since his debut in 2020, scoring five goals. He was part of the squad that competed in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and has remained a consistent selection under Domenico Tedesco.
The penalty miss adds to a mixed recent run of form for the attacking midfielder, who has struggled to consistently replicate the goal-scoring form that made him one of Europe’s most promising young talents during his breakout seasons at Club Brugge.
Lazio’s victory sets them up for a Coppa Italia final appearance, where they will await the winner of the other semifinal. For Atalanta, the focus now shifts entirely to Serie A and their pursuit of European qualification for next season.
As of April 23, 2026, Atalanta sit in the upper half of the Serie A table, chasing a top-four finish that would secure Champions League football. Their next league fixture is scheduled for April 26, 2026, against Udinese at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.
De Ketelaere is expected to remain a key figure in Gasperini’s plans for the remainder of the campaign, tasked with helping Atalanta turn the page on this cup disappointment and finish the season strongly in league competition.
The Coppa Italia final will be played at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on May 15, 2026, with Lazio aiming to add another domestic cup trophy to their collection.
For continued updates on Charles De Ketelaere’s season with Atalanta and Belgium’s international fixtures, fans are encouraged to follow official club and national team channels.
What are your thoughts on De Ketelaere’s performance and Atalanta’s Coppa Italia exit? Share your views in the comments below and join the conversation.
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