Napoli have reached the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia after beating Udinese 5-4 on penalties in this evening's clash at the Stadio San Paolo, both teams unable to be separated following a 2-2 draw at the end of normal play.
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The hosts were quickest off the starting blocks and won a penalty as early as the second minute when Gabriel Silva brought down Duvan Zapata in the box.
However, Dries Mertens failed to convert the opportunity from the spot, smashing his shot against the crossbar.
Napoli struck the woodwork once again in the second half when Walter Gargano let rip with an effort from 25 yards that cannoned off the post.
The visitors pushed forward in the second half and went on to take the lead just before the hour when Nabil Jaadi played in Cyril Thereau, who duly slotted home.
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Nevertheless, the Partenopei equalised just a few minutes later when Thomas Heurtaux fouled Zapata in the box, and this time Jorginho was able to convert for his side from 12 yards out.
The sides could not be separated come the end of 90 minutes, so the game went to extra time, and nine minutes in, Marek Hamsik put his side in the lead when he blasted home a long-range effort.
However, the lively Panagiotis Kone levelled proceedings moments later with a powerful effort of his own from the edge of the box.
In the end it came to penalties, and only one man failed from the spot - Allan Marques Loureiro of Udinese, whose shot was saved.
Substitute Gonzalo Higuain was up next and he duly converted his spot kick to send Napoli to the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia, where they will meet Inter Milan.
Giuseppe Labellarte
