Materazzi's double carries Inter to title

Apr 23, 2007, 3:11 GMT

Siena, Italy - Marco Materazzi scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner in the 60th minute, to give Inter Milan its first Serie A title on the field since the 1988-89 season as the Nerazzuri recorded a 2-1 win over Siena at Artemio Franchi on Sunday.

Inter was awarded the league crown last season because both Juventus and AC Milan were penalized for match fixing, but they have dominated the league this season and were able to celebrate after second-placed Roma suffered a 2-1 defeat to Atalanta, sealing the title.

The day was especially sweet for Materazzi, who helped Italy capture the World Cup title last summer, and now has a Serie A crown to put in his trophy case after scoring both goals on Sunday.

The opener came after 18 minutes as Materazzi scored a scrappy goal off of a corner kick. The ball was lobbed into the box but neither side was able to gain control of it. After a brief scramble in front of the Siena net, Materazzi pounced on the ball and poked it home from close range.

The home side had a quick answer, however, and Paulo Negro evened things up just three minutes later. Daniele Galloppa created space for a cross and his pass was met by the head of Negro, who gave Inter keeper Julio Cesar no chance with his effort from close range.

Julio Cruz then created the second goal for Materazzi when he was tripped up inside the box by Siena keeper Alex Manninger. The big defender stepped up to the spot and made no mistake with the kick, easily beating Manninger to put Inter in front.

Siena tried to respond once more, but the club's best chance the rest of the match came when Daniele Corvia headed a free kick from Enrico Chiesa wide of the net. Inter closed things down from there, and once they learned that Roma had lost, the celebration was on.

In other Serie A play on Sunday, fifth-placed Empoli was held to a 0-0 draw by Torino, Chievo recorded a big 2-1 win over Livorno and third-placed Lazio continued to struggle as Adrian Mutu scored the lone goal of the match in Fiorentina's 1-0 win. Reggina played to a 1-1 draw against Udinese and Parma climbed out of the relegation zone with a 4-3 win over Palermo.

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