Napoli Beats Juventus in Penalties to Win Coppa Italia

Napoli was stifled by Gianluigi Buffon in stoppage time but prevailed in penalty kicks to claim the trophy.

ROME (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo never had a chance.

Arkadiusz Milik converted the decisive spot kick in a penalty shootout as Napoli won its sixth Italian Cup following a 0-0 draw with Juventus on Wednesday.

Ronaldo was likely Juventus’ last penalty taker but after Paulo Dybala had his shot saved and Danilo blasted high over the goal, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could only stand at midfield and watch as Napoli won the shootout 4-2.

The 2020 Coppa Italia winners 🇮🇹🏆

Napoli's first major trophy since 2014 🙌 pic.twitter.com/kSvogPO1OY

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 17, 2020

The game went straight to penalties without extra time being played – a precautionary measure for players still getting back into shape in only their second match of the restart.

In the first half, Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne hit the post with a free kick.

Juventus controlled most of the possession but Napoli had the better chances as Juve’s 42-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made a series of difficult saves – until the shootout.

Buffon could save 2020 pic.twitter.com/DxUkGeA9az

— MickFlairDrip (@m1897) June 17, 2020

While it was played in an empty stadium, the final was another sign of the return to normalcy in a country hard-hit by the coronavirus.

The nearly 35,000 who died from COVID-19 in Italy could have filled half of the 70,000-seat Stadio Olimpico.

The game was broadcast nationally on free-to-air RAI state TV and was expected to draw a large audience.

“I strongly wanted soccer to restart with the Italian Cup,” said sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora. “Tonight isn’t merely a final. It’s a message of renewal for the entire country.”

The arena grew even quieter when the teams stood at the center circle for a minute of silence before kickoff to honor the virus victims.

“The country needs to bounce back and sports will be a motor for economic and social renewal,” Spadafora added.

After a break of more than three months, soccer restarted in Italy last week with the second legs of the semifinals.

The final was originally scheduled for May 13.

Serie A resumes Saturday.