Napoli's Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen (rear center left) celebrates with Napoli's Georgian forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Rear center) after scoring an equalizer during the Italian Serie A football match between Udinese and Napoli on May 4, 2023 at the Friuli stadium in Udine. (PHOTO / AFP)

UDINE. Italy - Napoli won their third Serie A title, and their first in 33 years, on Thursday after a 1-1 draw at Udinese gave the Naples side an unassailable lead in the standings.

Napoli's triumph ended the city's long wait for the Scudetto since Argentine great Diego Maradona led them to two championships in 1986-87 and 1989-90.

A second-half goal by Victor Osimhen secured Napoli the title with five games remaining in the season.

"I am overwhelmed right now. It's an amazing feeling," Osimhen told DAZN. "We've waited so many years for this moment, and to be able to deliver the Scudetto to the Neapolitans is something we will never forget."

Napoli's Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen challenges Udinese's Brazilian defender Rodrigo Becao (left) during the Italian Serie A football match between Udinese and Napoli on May 4, 2023 at the Friuli stadium in Udine. (PHOTO / AFP)

Napoli have 80 points, securing their position at the top of the table. Second-placed Lazio, who also have five games left to play, are 16 points adrift of Napoli.

Visiting supporters at the capacity Stadio Friuli held aloft banners adorned with the image of the late Maradona, eagerly anticipating the long-coveted Scudetto.

Napoli have 80 points, securing their position at the top of the table. Second-placed Lazio, who also have five games left to play, are 16 points adrift of Napoli

Sandi Lovric dampened the spirits of Napoli fans when he scored the opening goal after 13 minutes, with a well-placed shot that found the top-right corner of the box.

After Udinese's goal, Napoli stepped up their attack. In the 53rd minute, Osimhen sparked jubilant celebrations among the visiting fans when he fired in the equalizer from a rebound.

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Udinese goalkeeper Marco Silvestri pulled off a save to block Piotr Zielinski's half-volley, keeping the scoreline at 1-1 and prolonging the jitters of the Napoli fans.

Napoli fans celebrate after the Italian Serie A football match between Udinese and Napoli on May 4, 2023 at the Friuli stadium in Udine. Napoli ended a 33-year wait to win Italy's Serie A on May 4 after a 1-1 draw at Udinese secured their third league title and emulated the great teams led by Diego Maradona. (PHOTO / AFP)

As the final whistle blew, Napoli supporters rushed onto the pitch to celebrate the momentous occasion alongside the players.

"We were the underdogs at the start of the season. Not many believed in us and so many people wrote us off," Osimhen said.

"We believed from the start of the season that we have this great squad that can deliver the Scudetto."

Udinese goalkeeper Marco Silvestri pulled off a save to block Piotr Zielinski's half-volley, keeping the scoreline at 1-1 and prolonging the jitters of the Napoli fans

Celebrations

Meanwhile, the southern Italian city of Naples exploded into what was shaping up to be a long night of celebrations.

Argentine hero Diego Maradona inspired Napoli to its second and last triumph in 1990, but since then, the coveted Scudetto has been won almost exclusively by teams from wealthy northern Italy, such as Juventus, Inter and AC Milan.

"Yes! We are the champions" supporter Roberto Santoniello told Reuters TV, proudly wearing his club's shirt while others were screaming, waving flags, lighting flares and firecrackers in the central Trieste and Trento Square.

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Napoli fans celebrates on the street prior to the start of Udinese Napoli Serie A soccer match, in Naples, Italy, on May 4, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

Udinese are based in Italy's north-east, more than 800 kilometers away from Naples, so many Napoli fans stayed home and watched the game at their local Maradona stadium, which was specially equipped with eight giant screens.

Argentine hero Diego Maradona inspired Napoli to its second and last triumph in 1990, but since then, the coveted Scudetto has been won almost exclusively by teams from wealthy northern Italy, such as Juventus, Inter and AC Milan

"Today must be the right day," one of them, Raffaele Manfredonia, said. Kevin, another fan who declined to give his surname, said of the expected Scudetto party: "It will be chaos, mayhem. We won't sleep, we won't work."

But then he added, with a chuckle: "I am joking".

"I've been waiting for the Napoli Scudetto since I was small," said a teenage girl out with two friends, her cheeks painted Napoli blue. "It's a victory for the entire city, it's wonderful," she added, declining to give her name.

Having enjoyed a stellar season, Neapolitans have been gearing up for weeks for the title celebration, casting aside their usual superstition about claiming victory before it happens.

Streamers, banners, flags, scarves and life-sized cardboard replicas of Napoli's present-day footballers, including Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen and Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, have festooned the city centre.

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The late Maradona is also still revered, celebrated on fans' t-shirts, banners or tattoos, and on a giant mural in Naples' Miracles Square that has become a major attraction in the countdown to the Scudetto.