Inter eliminate Fiorentina after extra-time in Coppa Italia

2021-01-14 03:05:25 GMT2021-01-14 11:05:25(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

ROME, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The quarterfinals of the Coppa Italia will see a Milan derby as Inter Milan beat Fiorentina 2-1 after 120 minutes in the Round of 16 on Wednesday.

AC Milan booked their spot in the last eight on Tuesday with a nail-biting shootout win over Torino.

Inter coach Antonio Conte benched Romelu Lukaku for Wednesday's game and opted for Alexis Sanchez to partner Lautaro Martinez, while Christian Eriksen also made a rare start.

Inter had a series of chances in the first half and broke the deadlock in the 40th minute through Arturo Vidal's penalty.

Fiorentina also had a penalty appeal two minutes later as Christian Kouame was tripped by Milan Skriniar, but the referee waved play on.

Fiorentina leveled in the 57th minute in fantastic style, as Inter's clearance went straight to Kouame, who fired a missile into the net from the edge of the box, leaving Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic stranded.

With no further goals, the two sides went to extra-time and Inter scored a winner in the dying minutes with a combination of two substitutes, as Lukaku sent his twisting header into the net from Nicola Barella's assist.

Juventus also needed 120 minutes to get the better of Genoa at Allianz Stadium.

The Bianconeri surged into a 2-0 lead through Dejan Kulusevski and Alvaro Morata, but the away side fought back to settle for a 2-2 draw after regular time.

Hamza Rafia, who came off the bench in the second half, proved decisive as the 21-year-old sealed the win for the Old Lady in the 104th minute.

Also on Wednesday, cup holders Napoli edged past Empoli 3-2. Enditem

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