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05 December 2024

Cavani double ends Inter Cup defence

Napoli's Edinson Cavani celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Inter Milan at Stadio San Paolo on Wednesday in Naples, Italy. (GETTY)

Published
By AFP

A double by Edinson Cavani inspired Napoli to a 2-0 victory over holders Inter Milan in their Italian Cup quarter-final on Wednesday and revenge for being ousted by them at the same stage of last season's competition.

The highly-regarded Uruguayan struck twice in the second-half to bring an end to not only Inter's hopes of retaining the trophy but also a run of seven successive victories.

Napoli's win set up a semi-final meeting with Siena, who beat Chievo 1-0 earlier on Wednesday.

Cavani scored his first from the penalty spot in the 50th minute and then hit Inter on the counter-attack in the third minute of time added on as their opponents pressed forward in search of an equaliser.

However, he still had some work to do to score and outfoxed both Andrea Ranocchia and Julio Cesar to ensure they progressed against an Inter side who were weakened by the absences of striker Giampaolo Pazzini and Brazilian defender Lucio, both out with flu.

The holders had their chances and coach Claudio Ranieri will have been heartened by the performance of Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder, who came off the bench for his first appearance in two months and went close in the 61st and 81st minutes.

The other semi-final will see Juventus, whose second string side humbled AS Roma's first choice line-up 3-0 on Tuesday, play the winner of Thursday's quarter-final between AC Milan and Lazio.