The unthinkable has happened as Sampdoria thrashed Inter Milan 3-1 and Lazio disposed of Juventus 4-2 in their respective Coppa Italia semi-finals.

All of Samp's goals came in a devastating opening period as Giampaolo Pazzini hit a double after Antonio Cassano had opened the scoring.

Samp had defender Daniele Gastaldello sent off for a second bookable offence on the hour-mark, but Inter could not make their man advantage pay.

Inter's night would also be further soured with young striker Mario Balotelli taken from the pitch on a stretcher after leaping for a ball.

The second leg ended 1-0 for Inter Milan with Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring.

Lazio are in the final of the Coppa Italia thanks to a 2-1 victory over Juventus in Turin on Thursday which saw them complete a 4-2 win on aggregate.

The outcome sees the Biancoceleste reach the final for the first time since the 2002-2003 campaign and it was a deserved reward for a polished performance by Delio Rossi's men.

Mauro Zarate scored Lazio's opener in the 38th minute when he curled a fine low ball round Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon from outside the area.

Lazio defender Aleksandar Kolarov extended the visitors' advantage early in the second half with his strike taking a deflection from Juventus defender Grygera to stun Buffon.

The hosts desperately surged forward and captain Alessandro Del Piero reduced the deficit shortly after the hour mark, chesting down Mauro Camoranesi's cross before firing into the back of the net.

PA Sport