Napoli's Fabian Ruiz celebrates after he scores the opening goal during an Italian Cup soccer match between Inter Milan and Napoli at the San Siro stadium, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
The Associated Press
MILAN (AP) - Fabián Ruiz curled in a shot from outside the area to give Napoli a 1-0 win at Inter Milan in the first leg of their Italian Cup semifinal on Wednesday.
Ruiz broke the deadlock in the 57th minute when the midfielder played a one-two with Giovanni Di Lorenzo on the edge of the area before weaving past three Inter defenders and bending the ball into the left side of the net, beyond the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Daniele Padelli.
Christian Eriksen almost leveled late on, with what would have been his first goal since joining Inter from Tottenham, but his effort was deflected narrowly wide of the left post.
Inter had only lost once to Italian opposition this season - to Juventus in the league - and is top of Serie A. Napoli is 11th in the table but had beaten Italian Cup holder Lazio in the quarterfinals.
Napoli will host Inter in the second leg on March 5.
Inter has won the Italian Cup seven times, with its last triumph coming in 2011. Napoli won the last of its five Italian Cup trophies in 2014.
AC Milan plays Juventus in the other semifinal. The first leg is on Thursday at San Siro before the return match in Turin on March 4.
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Napoli's Fabian Ruiz, third from left, scores his side's first goal during an Italian Cup soccer match between Inter Milan and Napoli at the San Siro stadium, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
Napoli's Fabian Ruiz scores the opening goal during an Italian Cup soccer match between Inter Milan and Napoli at the San Siro stadium, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
The Associated Press
Napoli's head coach Gennaro Gattuso directs his team during an Italian Cup soccer match between Inter Milan and Napoli at the San Siro stadium, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
The Associated Press
Napoli's Mario Rui, left, fouls Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku during an Italian Cup soccer match between Inter Milan and Napoli at the San Siro stadium, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez, with number 10, sets the ball up for Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku who failed to score during an Italian Cup soccer match between Inter Milan and Napoli at the San Siro stadium, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez reacts after missing a chance to score during an Italian Cup soccer match between Inter Milan and Napoli at the San Siro stadium, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
Inter Milan's head coach Antonio Conte, right, argues with referee Gianpaolo Calvarese after one of his players was shown a yellow card during an Italian Cup soccer match between Inter Milan and Napoli at the San Siro stadium, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku reacts after missing a chance to score during an Italian Cup soccer match between Inter Milan and Napoli at the San Siro stadium, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press