Hojlund helps Napoli sink Milan to reach Italian Super Cup final in Riyadh

Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox

RIYADH, Dec 18 - Napolis Rasmus Hojlund proved decisive as the Dane helped his side beat Italian Super Cup holders AC Milan 2-0 ‍in ​the semi-finals on Thursday, helping to set ‍up a goal in the first half and scoring after the break ​to ​send their opponents home.

Napoli will face the winners of Fridays second semi between Inter Milan and Bologna in the showpiece game ‍on Monday.

Thursdays match at the King Saud University Stadium started slowly ​as both sides sought ⁠to find their rhythm.

David Neres opened the scoring in the 39th minute with a tap-in at the back post after Hojlund burst down the left ​and cut the ball back, with goalkeeper Mike Maignan only getting his fingertips to ‌the ball and diverting ​it to the scorer.

The Dane all but sealed the win in the 64th minute, forcing his way into the box under pressure from defender Koni De Winter near the byline before his shot from a tight angle wrong-footed Maignan and found the far corner to ‍double Napolis lead.

The tempo then dropped as both sides waited ​for counter-attacking opportunities. Hojlund was substituted late on and received a hug ​from fellow Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku, who ‌was on the bench after an injury layoff kept him out since August. REUTERS