NAPLES, Italy - Holder Napoli beat 10-man Udinese 5-4 on penalties to reach the Italian Cup quarterfinals on Thursday, after the match ended 2-2 in regulation time.

Substitute Gonzalo Higuain thumped in the winning spot kick after Allan's effort was saved by Napoli goalkeeper Mariano Andujar.

Dries Mertens missed the chance to get Napoli off to the perfect start when he sent a penalty onto the crossbar. The deadlock was finally broken in the 58th minute by Cyril Thereau following a swift Udinese counterattack.

Jorghino made no mistake with Napoli's second penalty, and the match appeared to swing his side's way minutes later when Silvan Widmer was sent off for two bookings.

Marek Hamsik fired Napoli ahead in the third minute of extra time, but Panagiotis Kone levelled shortly after with an acrobatic volley.

Napoli next faces Inter Milan.