Insigne stunner keeps Napoli knockout hopes alive
Lorenzo Insigne kick-started a second half onslaught against Shakhtar Donetsk as Napoli got the three points it needed to stay alive in the UEFA Champions League.
Napoli breathed life into its UEFA Champions League campaign as a trio of second-half goals sealed a 3-0 home win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
Needing three points to have any chance of advancing from Group F, the Serie A leader turned on the style after half-time to move within three points of the second-placed Ukrainian outfit and crucially secure a superior head-to-head record.
The hosts had Lorenzo Insigne to thank for leading them out of a first-half slumber as the Italy forward broke the deadlock with a superb curling effort shortly before the hour.
Insigne's strike proved to be the inspiration Napoli needed to take control at Stadio San Paolo, as it put a crucial result beyond doubt with two goals in quick succession.
Piotr Zielinski first capped a tidy one-two with Dries Mertens in the 81st minute before the Belgium star got on the scoresheet himself, nodding in from close-range.
Maurizio Sarri's men must still beat Feyenoord in two weeks' time and hope Shakhtar lose at home to Manchester City, although the Premier League side has little to play for after making top spot safe.
