Samuel Eto'o scored twice yesterday as Inter Milan defeated Genoa 3-2 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Italian Cup, taking his tally to 21 goals in all competitions so far this season.

Eto'o gave Inter a 2-0 halftime lead. After the break, Houssine Kharja scored for Genoa with a penalty, but McDonald Mariga hit Inter's third soon after. Giuseppe Sculli scored Genoa's second goal in injury time.

The result means new Inter coach Leonardo has now won his first three matches since taking over from Rafael Benitez during the winter break.

"Genoa closed down space well and made life difficult for us," Inter midfielder Esteban Cambiasso said. "We had to work hard and deserved the win."

Inter, the defending champions, took the lead in the 15th minute. Sulley Muntari crossed from the left, Eto'o controlled the ball before slipping between Domenico Criscito and Emiliano Moretti and poking it under goalkeeper Alessio Scarpi.

Two minutes before halftime, Eto'o doubled his tally. Maicon hit a low cross to the near post and Eto'o got ahead of Moretti to score.

Genoa came back into the match with a 53rd-minute spot kick after Gergely Rudolf had been brought down by Andrea Ranocchia.

Mariga headed in Maicon's corner in the 59th, restoring Inter's two-goal lead. Sculli's shot low from the edge of area gave Genoa some hope, but Inter managed to hold on.

"This team has been together for a long time and we know what we have to do," Cambiasso said. "It is a step forward for us in the Cup, now we have to concentrate on the league."

In the other round-of-16 match, Fabio Miccoli scored a penalty in the 80th minute to give Palermo a 1-0 win at home to Chievo Verona.

Chievo defender Carlos Rincon brought down Miccoli, and the Palermo striker got back up to break the deadlock.