NAPLES – Inter side saw their hopes of a Coppa Italia semi-final berth dashed in second-half stoppage time when Higuain came up with the only goal of the game. It had been an evenly balanced affair, the Nerazzurri more than holding their own in Napoli's den and Icardi denied by the upright in the opening period, but ultimately it was the hosts who nicked the crucial goal at the death.
Davide Santon was thrown straight in at the deep end just 48 hours after completing his return to the club. He was joined in the starting line-up by Romanian youngster George Puscas, Marcelo Brozovic and Xherdan Shaqiri.
The hosts carved out the first few openings, Higuain getting away from Juan Jesus on the right wing and shooting weakly at Carrizo, then Hamsik crossing into the path of Higuain again, who headed over.
Brozovic lined up an effort of his own shortly after but it swerved away from Andujar's goal.
Inter were playing well and very nearly took the lead on 13 minutes: Mauro Icardi skipped past Koulibaly and unleashed a low drive that agonisingly came back off the foot of the post.
Shaqiri cut inside form the right in the 17th minute and hit a curling effort towards goal that Andujar had covered.
Inter were enjoying more possession (53.2% and 251 passes in the first half) but Napoli always looked a threat.
Hamsik found himself in a good position but blasted over following a free kick (27), then a full-stretch lunge by Medel proved decisive as Higuain was set to pounce on a loose ball (34), and Koulibaly lifted his volley over the bar following Britos' header (43).
Icardi was the provider of two chances around the hour mark, the first for Hernanes (whose curled finish went wide) and then with a neat backheel into the path of Puscas, who was denied by a combination of Albiol and Andujar.
Inter were piling on the pressure as they sought an opener and built a lovely move involving Puscas, Nagatomo and Icardi; the ball ended at Hernanes' feet, whose shot was deflected behind by Strinic.
Napoli hit back with attempts by David Lopez (wide) and De Guzman (straight at Carrizo).
Extra time looked to be on the cards after Guarin fizzed a vicious drive over the bar in the 93rd minute, but there was to be a cruel late blow for Inter. Ghoulam launched a throw-in into the path of Higuain, who sped away and finished clinically past Carrizo.
With no time to mount a comeback, Inter's Coppa Italia campaign came grinding to a halt.
Napoli 1-0 Inter (0-0)
Scorer: Higuain 90+4.
Napoli: 45 Andujar; 26 Koulibaly, 33 Albiol, 5 Britos, 3 Strinic; 77 Gargano, 19 Lopez; 7 Callejon (Mertens 72), 17 Hamsik (Gabbiadini 76), 6 De Guzman (Ghoulam 84); 9 Higuain.
Subs not used: 1 Rafael, 15 Colombo, 8 Jorginho, 11 Maggio, 44 Uvini, 88 Inler, 91 Zapata.
Coach: Rafael Benitez.
Inter: 30 Carrizo; 55 Nagatomo, 23 Ranocchia, 5 Juan Jesus, 21 Santon (Dodo 86); 18 Medel, 77 Brozovic, 88 Hernanes (Guarin 74); 91 Shaqiri; 9 Icardi, 28 Puscas.
Subs not used: 1 Handanovic, 46 Berni, 8 Palacio, 10 Kovacic, 11 Podolski, 15 Vidic, 17 Kuzmanovic, 20 Obi, 54 Donkor, 97 Bonazzoli.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
Booked: Shaqiri 23, Juan Jesus 39, Medel 57, Gargano 57, Puscas 64, Ranocchia 90+1.
Added time: 1+4 minutes.
Referee: Massa.
Assistants: Giallatini, Passeri.
4th official: Banti.
starting lineups
| Andujar 45 |
30 Carrizo |
| Koulibaly 26 |
55 Nagatomo |
| Albiol 33 |
23 Ranocchia |
| Britos 5 |
5 Jesus |
| Strinic 3 |
21 Santon |
| Gargano 77 |
18 Medel |
| Lopez 19 |
77 Brozovic |
| Callejon 7 |
88 Hernanes |
| Hamsik 17 |
91 Shaqiri |
| De Guzman 6 |
9 Icardi |
| Higuain 9 |
28 Puscas |
substitutes
| Rafael 1 |
1 Handanovic |
| Colombo 15 |
46 Berni |
| Jorginho 8 |
8 Palacio |
| Maggio 11 |
10 Kovacic |
| Mertens 14 |
11 Podolski |
| Gabbiadini 23 |
13 Guarin |
| Ghoulam 31 |
15 Vidic |
| Uvini 44 |
17 Kuzmanovic |
| Inler 88 |
20 Obi |
| Zapata 91 |
22 Dodò |
|
54 Donkor |
|
97 Bonazzoli |