Lazio beat Sampdoria 6-5 on penalties to lift the
Italian Cup after Wednesday's final at the Stadio Olimpico finished
1-1 following extra-time.
Uruguayan keeper Fernando Muslera saved efforts from
Antonio Cassano and Hugo Campagnaro before Ousmane Dabo scored the
decisive spot-kick to give the Romans their fifth Italian Cup
triumph and a place in next season's Europa League.
Captain Tommaso Rocchi, a second half substitute, was Lazio's
only player to miss in the shootout.
Argentine striker Mauro Zarate put Lazio in front in the fifth
minute when he sprinted to the edge of the box and lashed a
splendid right-footed shot inside the far post.
Giampaolo Pazzini levelled just after 31 minutes when he nodded
into the corner after Marius Stankevicius headed an Antonio Cassano
cross his way.
Lazio made the running in the second half and the Samp defence
did well to smother danger from Zarate and Goran Pandev before
Pasquale Foggia volleyed over from a good position on the hour.
Sampdoria almost pinched victory in the second period of extra
time, when the ball bobbled wide after Antonio Cassano's run into
the box.