ROME, 14 June 2005 — Brazil striker Adriano scored twice as Inter Milan cruised to a 2-0 win over AS Roma in the first leg of the Italian Cup final at Rome’s Olympic Stadium on Sunday.

Adriano’s double left Roma with a mountain to climb in the return at the San Siro on Wednesday to prevent Inter picking up their first domestic silverware since the Serie A title in 1989. Roma started brightly but a 35-metre rocket by Adriano on the half hour mark put the visitors ahead. The striker grabbed his second six minutes later, heading in from close range after a foul by Cristian Chivu had gifted Inter a free kick on the edge of the area.

Less than thirty seconds had elapsed when Francesco Totti accelerated into Inter’s area and laid the ball off to strike partner Antonio Cassano to fire straight at keeper Francesco Toldo. Another great run by the Roma captain, this time down the right, ended with him cutting the ball back across the area for Cassano, who fired against the foot of the post.

Even as Roma lost some of the fluidity of their early passing, they continued to look more likely to score.

It was no surprise, therefore, that when Adriano’s first goal unexpectedly arrived — curling away from goalie Gianluca Curci — Roma were left looking a little shell-shocked.

They had no time to dwell on their misfortune. Chivu’s foul on Javier Zanetti gave Inter a free kick from a position that effectively made it a short corner.

Ze Maria whipped the ball across the face of goal and Adriano muscled in front of his marker to head into the roof of the net.

After the interval Roma coach Bruno Conti introduced a third striker, Vincenzo Montella, in an attempt to haul his team back into contention. Montella did force Toldo into a diving save eight minutes from time but Roma finished well beaten.

Alaves Win Promotion to the Primera Liga

In Madrid, Alaves clinched promotion to the Primera Liga on Sunday after two seasons out of the top flight.

A 2-1 win at Elche ensures that, with just one game left, the second division leaders cannot finish lower than third.

The Basque side hit the headlines in 2001 when they reached the UEFA Cup final but were relegated two seasons later.

They are now controlled by controversial Ukrainian-born American entrepreneur Dimitry Piterman, who took over the presidency of the club at the start of the season.

There was bad news for Celta Vigo who believed they had been promoted last week after their 3-1 victory over Xerez only to find they were later deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player.

The Galicians lost 2-1 at home to fellow promotion candidates Eibar and now have to win their final match away to Lleida to ensure they claim one of the remaining two promotion places.

Cadiz, who won 3-1 at home to Terrassa, and Recreativo Huelva, who drew 1-1 at home to Almeria, are also in the hunt for promotion.