Napoli stun Juventus: Video
Edinson Cavani scored a hat trick in Napoli’s 3-0 win over Juventus in Serie A on Sunday, a memorable performance that could propel the southern club toward a spot in next season’s Champions League.
A member of the Uruguay team that finished fourth in the World Cup, Cavani converted headers in the 20th, 26th and 53rd minutes to tie Udinese’s Antonio Di Natale for the league scoring lead with 13 goals apiece.
After his last goal, Cavani tucked the ball under his jersey to celebrate the coming birth of his child, then walked off to a standing ovation from a soldout San Paolo stadium when he was substituted in the 85th.
After the final whistle, virtually all of the 60,000 fans stuck around to sing and celebrate.
The victory moved Napoli within four points of Serie A leader AC Milan, which labored to a 4-4 draw with Udinese earlier.
Milan leads with 40 points, Napoli has 36, Lazio 34, AS Roma 32 and Juventus and Palermo 31 each.
The top three teams at the end of the season qualify directly for the Champions League.
Juventus has conceded seven goals in two matches after being beaten 4-1 by Parma on Thursday. Making his Juventus debut, newly signed Luca Toni had an equalizer disallowed in the 23rd for a foul from the 1.94-meter (6-foot-4) striker.
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