Inter beat Roma to win Italian Cup

Inter won the Italian Cup yesterday after a 3-1 second-leg win gave them a 4-2 aggregate win over Roma.

First half goals from Argentines Esteban Cambiasso and Julio Cruz gave Inter a clear advantage before Nigerian Obafemi Martins added the third in the 76th minute. Congolese forward Shabani Nonda pulled a goal back for Roma in the 80th minute.

Inter's fifth Italian Cup win follows their triumph in the competition last season and offers some compensation for another campaign in which they failed to mount a serious bid for the league title they have been unable to win since 1989.

"I'm glad for the lads, there have been a few disappointments in the last few months and they deserve this," said Inter coach Roberto Mancini who claimed his 10th Italian Cup as a player and coach.

Totti returns to action

Roma's consolation came in the form of the return to action of their captain Francesco Totti who had not played since he broke his ankle in a Serie A game against Empoli on Feb. 19.

The Roma forward, a key part of Italy coach's Marcello Lippi's World Cup squad, came on as a 53rd minute substitute but by that time Roma were already 2-0 down on the night.

Roma were without Rodrigo Taddei and midfielder Simone Perrotta who were suspended and were also missing several players through injury.

Cambiasso opened the scoring in spectacular fashion in the sixth minute with a thundering volley from the edge of the area after he had been picked out by compatriot Javier Zanetti.

Just before the break Cruz made it 2-0 with a fine solo goal, dribbling into the area and rounding Roma's Brazilian keeper Doni before slotting into the unguarded goal.

Totti's return to action almost brought a goal when the Italy international drove just wide in the 68th minute but Inter extended their advantage when, after some confusion in the Roma defence, Cruz set up Martins who slotted past Doni.

Nonda's headed goal was far too late to prompt a genuine revival and Roma now have to focus on the final game of the season, back at the San Siro, where if they are to get fourth place and a spot in the qualifying round of the Champions League they need to beat Milan and hope Fiorentina lose at Chievo.