Gonzalo Higuain scored twice on his old Napoli hunting ground to send Juventus into the Italian Cup final despite a 3-2 defeat to their bitter rivals last night.

The Argentine, returning to the San Paolo stadium for the second time since his acrimonious exit last year and booed throughout, did not celebrate his goals which gave Juve a 5-4 aggregate win over Napoli in the semi-final.

The holders appeared to be cruising as they led 2-1 on the hour but two quick Napoli goals, the first following a howler from Juve goalkeeper Neto, forced them to resort to time-wasting and gamesmanship in the last 20 minutes.

Juve, who will face Lazio in the final, stayed on course for a treble as they lead Serie A and are in the Champions League last eight.

It was the teams’ second meeting in four days at the San Paolo following Sunday’s 1-1 draw in Serie A which Napoli dominated.

Higuain made little impact then but was not so subdued second time around.

Juve brought a 3-1 lead from the first leg and Higuain gave them a precious away goal in the 32nd minute.

Marek Hamsik  levelled in the 53rd minute only for Higuain to put Juve back in front six minutes later

Napoli were left needing four goals and quickly got two of them.

Neto tried to control a throw-in  but missed the ball and Dries Mertens scored into an open goal.

Jose Callejon then set up another for Lorenzo Insigne in the 67th minute but Juventus held on.