Napoli will have to wait for their first Serie A title in 33 years after being held to a draw by Salernitana at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Luciano Spalletti’s side were headed for the win they needed when Mathias Olivera headed home a corner kick in the 62nd minute.

But Boulaye Dia equalized with a left-footed shot six minutes ago.

It silenced the waiting crowd, who made a ruckus and lit blue-smoke fires inside and outside the stadium, where thousands of fans lined the streets, as Napoli crossed. take the lead.

Spalletti told DAZN: “The players are clearly disappointed that they didn’t satisfy our amazing fans tonight.

“But you’ve seen for a while that these points are the hardest to achieve.

“We represent their dreams and that means we made their dreams come true.”

Despite the disappointment, Napoli are almost certain to win the title, with just 2 points from their last 6 games to win Serie A for a third time – and without Maradona’s amulet for the first time.

Their next chance to claim the title will come when they head to Udinese on Thursday (19:45 BST), but they could also win it before that if the results go their way.

Second place is Lazio, 18 points behind, having to beat Sassuolo on Wednesday (20:00 BST), while Juventus, 20 points behind in third with a match in hand, must win later. on Sunday (19:45 BST) and on Wednesday.

Napoli had a chance to end the title with a record six games after Lazio were beaten 3-1 by Inter Milan earlier on Sunday.

Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez came on from the bench to score twice to help Inter recover from a 0-1 defeat.

Napoli’s match is scheduled for Saturday but was moved by officials because of concerns about the two-day celebration and public order in the city.

Sunday morning and early afternoon saw thousands of Napoli fans waving flags and setting off flares as expectations grew, especially after the defeat to Lazio.

The stadium itself, renamed by Napoli after Maradona two years ago, was full 30 minutes before the match started as fans hoped their three-decade wait was coming to an end.

The home side dominated possession throughout but struggled to create chances until Olivera headed home Giacomo Raspadori from a corner.

Fierce celebrations followed – with Napoli’s substitutes running across the pitch to join in – while the referee took the ball off the field and put it in a velvet bag, in case it turned out to be. part of history.

The equalizer, when Dia beat Victor Osimhen on the right before shooting into the far corner, provided silence but it will only be a matter of days before Napoli can properly celebrate and wipe away years of pain. .

Analysis – ‘it’s like a big street party’

Sofia Bettiza, BBC News correspondent in Naples

Napoli is getting ready for an epic celebration today.

All the streets have been decorated. Blue and white flags are hung outside each balcony. Life-size cut-outs of the players have been installed in the city centre.

All day long, this is like a big street party. People were singing, dancing – even crying. Children playing soccer on the street. Fireworks can be heard as Inter beat Lazio.

Fans have gathered by the iconic mural of Diego Maradona in the city center since early morning. Many are not only confident but certain that Napoli will be champions on Sunday.

“It’s done in fact, it’s only a matter of time,” said Federico, who is wearing a Napoli outfit from head to toe. “We deserved this win.”

Naples is a city that lives and breathes football. It is almost a religious experience.

Memories of Napoli winning the 1990 championship with Maradona as captain are beginning to fade – and the people of Naples are still desperate to see the city’s eventual glory return.

Salernitana’s late equalizer means they are still waiting for the title – but they certainly won’t have to wait much longer.