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 highly anticipated Europa League. Lazio got off to a fabulous start as Mauro Zarate launched a bullet into the net after just four minutes. A fine double save from Castellazzi kept Samp from falling 2-0 behind, and soon parity was restored after Giampaolo Pazzini directed home a well-placed header. This wasn’t enough in the end, though, Lazio winning their first trophy since 2004.
