Mertens' record-breaking goal sends Napoli to Coppa Italia final

Napoli will face Juventus in the Coppa Italia final June 17 thanks to Dries Mertens' decisive goal against Inter Milan on Saturday.

Mertens equalized minutes before halftime of the semifinal second leg to secure a 1-1 draw on the night and a 2-1 win on aggregate.

With 122 goals to his name, the Belgian international surpassed Marek Hamsik as Napoli's all-time leading scorer. Mertens is also seven clear of club icon Diego Maradona.

The Partenopei last played in the Coppa Italia final in May 2014 when they defeated Fiorentina 3-1 on a chaotic night in Rome that involved a fatal shooting outside the Stadio Olimpico.

Napoli beat Inter 1-0 in the first leg at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in February. The second leg was supposed to take place March 5 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Nerazzurri surged into the lead Saturday when Christian Eriksen's corner kick slipped through the legs of unassuming Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina. The Colombian international made several saves thereafter, though, to keep Napoli in contention.