Soccer

Napoli claim Italian Super Cup with shootout win over Juve

Gianluigi Buffon made three saves but it was not enough as Juventus missed four spot kicks

Napoli players celebrate their victory as they hold their trophy after defeating Juventus FC in the Italian Super Cup final at the Al Sadd Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Photograph: EPA
Napoli players celebrate their victory as they hold their trophy after defeating Juventus FC in the Italian Super Cup final at the Al Sadd Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Photograph: EPA
Mon Dec 22 2014 - 21:22

Napoli ended Juventus's hopes of securing a record seventh Italian Super Cup after snatching a dramatic 6-5 shootout win that stretched to 18 nerve-jangling penalties in Doha's Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Monday.

Carlos Tevez fired league champions Juventus ahead twice but Gonzalo Higuain scored two equalisers to send to game to penalties.

Gianluigi Buffon made three saves in the shootout but it was not enough as Juve missed four spot kicks.

The shootout started ominously for both teams with Tevez and Jorginho failing to score. Both teams then scored each of their next five penalties, before missing the next two.

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When Kalidou Koulibaly put Napoli 6-5 ahead, goalkeeper Rafael finally brought the shootout to an end by denying Simone Padoin, allowing Napoli fans to celebrate a memorable upset victory.