Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani scores a superb brace to help Napoli reach the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia at the expense of reigning champions Inter Milan.
Napoli put an end to Inter Milan's Coppa Italia reign after beating them 2-0 at the San Paolo stadium on Wednesday courtesy of two second half goals from brilliant Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani.
Inter entered the game with an eight-game winning streak under their belt in all competitions, but the Nerazzurri could barely find their feet in the first half, as they were completely outplayed by a much more efficient Napoli side.
Napoli dominated proceedings and almost went ahead when Slovak midfielder Marek Hamsik sent a wonderful high ball into the path of Christian Maggio, who brought the ball down with class but had his subsequent shot deflected over the bar by Inter goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi.
Claudio Ranieri's side lacked creativity in their game, and their only decent attempt on goal was a low drive from Dutch international Wesley Sneijder that was saved by Napoli goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis.
Five minutes into the second half Inter midfielder Thiago Motta tripped Cavani over from behind inside of the area and referee Domenico Celi had no choice but to point to the penalty spot. Cavani stepped up to the spot and made no mistake, firing Napoli ahead.
Moments later Inter's Argentine striker Diego Milito appeared to have been brought down in the area, but the referee waved play-on, to the frustration of the visitors.
But the Nerazzurri didn't allow that to affect them, and continued to push forward in numbers as they searched for an equaliser. Both Sneijder and Ricky Alvarez came inches close from drawing them level.
Towards the end of the game it seemed that Inter would force extra-time, but it wasn't to be as De Sanctis pulled off a sensational double-save from the Argentine duo of Milito and then Esteban Cambiasso.
To Inter's agony, in the dying seconds of the game Cavani sealed Napoli a berth in the semi-finals of the competition in spectacular fashion.
The Uruguayan international dazzled his way into the area, by getting past Andrea Ranocchia with a sublime nutmeg, before rounding a sliding Castellazzi and slotting the ball home.
With the win, Napoli will go on to meet Siena in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia.
Inter entered the game with an eight-game winning streak under their belt in all competitions, but the Nerazzurri could barely find their feet in the first half, as they were completely outplayed by a much more efficient Napoli side.
Napoli dominated proceedings and almost went ahead when Slovak midfielder Marek Hamsik sent a wonderful high ball into the path of Christian Maggio, who brought the ball down with class but had his subsequent shot deflected over the bar by Inter goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi.
Claudio Ranieri's side lacked creativity in their game, and their only decent attempt on goal was a low drive from Dutch international Wesley Sneijder that was saved by Napoli goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis.
Five minutes into the second half Inter midfielder Thiago Motta tripped Cavani over from behind inside of the area and referee Domenico Celi had no choice but to point to the penalty spot. Cavani stepped up to the spot and made no mistake, firing Napoli ahead.
Moments later Inter's Argentine striker Diego Milito appeared to have been brought down in the area, but the referee waved play-on, to the frustration of the visitors.
But the Nerazzurri didn't allow that to affect them, and continued to push forward in numbers as they searched for an equaliser. Both Sneijder and Ricky Alvarez came inches close from drawing them level.
Towards the end of the game it seemed that Inter would force extra-time, but it wasn't to be as De Sanctis pulled off a sensational double-save from the Argentine duo of Milito and then Esteban Cambiasso.
To Inter's agony, in the dying seconds of the game Cavani sealed Napoli a berth in the semi-finals of the competition in spectacular fashion.
The Uruguayan international dazzled his way into the area, by getting past Andrea Ranocchia with a sublime nutmeg, before rounding a sliding Castellazzi and slotting the ball home.
With the win, Napoli will go on to meet Siena in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia.
