Gonzalo Higuaín wrote himself into the Serie A record books as his hat-trick fired Napoli to a 4-0 win over 10-man Frosinone that sealed a second-placed finish.
Higuain’s 19-minute second-half treble made him the first player to score 36 goals in a Serie A campaign, nudging ahead of Milan’s Gunnar Nordahl, who scored 35 in 1949-50.
It was also a night to remember for Marek Hamsik, who put himself alongside Diego Maradona in scoring 81 league goals for Napoli – the second highest in the club’s history.
The second-place finish books Napoli’s qualification directly to the group stages of next season’s Champions League. Frosinone, whose relegation had already been confirmed, were up against it from the moment Mirko Gori was sent off in the 12th minute.
Napoli’s win saw off competition for second spot from Roma, who were 3-1 winners at Milan. Mohamed Salah put them in front in the first half with Stephan El Shaarawy scoring against his parent club after the break and Emerson adding a third before Carlos Bacca’s 86th-minute consolation for Milan.
The champions, Juventus,completed their triumphant campaign with a 5-0 rout of 10-man Sampdoria in Turin at which they were presented with the trophy in front of their fans.
The club had sealed the title last month and they warmed up for the Coppa Italia final by putting 10-man Sampdoria to the sword.
Paulo Dybala was outstanding throughout, scoring twice, with Patrice Evra, Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci also finding the net as Milan Skriniar saw red for Samp.
Matteo Politano scored twice for Sassuolo as they beat 10-man Internazionale 3-1. Politano’s first-half double, in minutes six and 39, either side of Lorenzo Pellegrini’s effort put Sassuolo in control. Inter’s Rodrigo Palacio had made it 2-1 in the first half but Jeison Murillo’s red card on the hour ended any hope of a second-half comeback.
Sassuolo will qualify for next season’s Europa League if Milan lose next week’s Coppa Italia final against Juventus.
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