On a wet, difficult night at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Jose Mourinho's makeshift side looked destined to be heading for a draw - until 18-year-old Felix came off the bench and delivered two sublime goals.
The first was the decisive one; the Ghanaian being fed brilliantly by Henrikh Mkhitaryan before exhibiting a clinical touch in front of goal that had been missing up until that point.
Then, deep into injury time, he grabbed a lose ball, drove towards the edge of the box and unleashed a 25-yard curler that nestled in the top corner.
Both goals were greeted by exuberant - but fully warranted - celebrations, as the newest member of the first-team squad made a pivotal difference.
Up until Felix's interventions Roma had controlled the match, only to come up short in their bid to find an opening goal. Eldor Shomurodov fired wide on a couple of occasions, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan saw a fine finish chalked off after it the ball brushed Tammy Abraham's hand on its way in.
Further chances came and went for both sides in the second half, only for Felix to grab the contest and make it his own.
The Giallorossi are back in action on Thursday - they host Zorya Luhansk in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
GENOA 0-2 ROMA
SCORERS: Afena-Gyan (82', 90')
GENOA (3-5-2): Sirigu; Biraschi (Bianchi), Vasquez, Masiello; Sabelli (Ghiglione), Rovella, Badelj (Buksa), Sturaro (Galdames), Cambiaso; Ekuban, Pandev (Hernani)
ROMA (3-4-1-2): Rui Patricio; Mancini, Kumbulla (Smalling), Ibanez; Karsdorp, Pellegrini (Bove), Veretout, El Shaarawy; Mkhitaryan; Abraham, Shomurodov (Afena Gyan)
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