Roma beat Sampdoria to reach Cup semis

Brazilian winger Alessandro Mancini, pictured in 2007, scored a brilliant second half winner to send holders Roma into the Italian Cup semi-finals following a 1-0 win over Sampdoria on Tuesday at the Stadio Olimpico.

      ROME (AFP) - Brazilian winger Alessandro Mancini scored a brilliant second half winner to send holders Roma into the Italian Cup semi-finals following a 1-0 win over Sampdoria on Tuesday at the Stadio Olimpico.

      That completed a 2-1 aggregate victory for the capital-based club, who came back from having a man sent off in the first leg to snatch a vital 1-1 draw.

      They had the better of the first period with both Alberto Aquilani and Daniele De Rossi forcing Sampdoria goalkeeper Antonio Mirante into making fine stops.

      After the break the visitors almost took the lead but Brazilian midfielder Rodrigo Taddei was in the right place to clear Hugo Campagnaro's shot off the line with Brazilian goalkeeper Doni beaten.

      But on the hour mark Mancini fired Roma in front, rounding off a sweet move after playing a one-two in the Samp box.

      Roma could have extended their lead but Mirante was in fine form and twice denied nippy French forward Ludovic Giuly.