Lazio have strengthened their grip on a place in next season's Champions League with a hard-fought 1-0 win away at Sampdoria.

The home side went close to taking an early lead, but Samuel Eto'o's right-footed effort went a whisker wide of the far post.

Lazio looked dangerous every time that they went forward, and only a fine save from Emiliano Viviano prevented Antonio Candreva from giving his side the lead, before Roberto Soriano curled an effort inches wide at the other end.

© Getty Images

Sampdoria will feel that they should have been ahead at the break, but Pedro Obiang missed a chance from only a few yards out. They continued to be wasteful after half time as Eto'o shot wide when well placed.

They were punished five minutes later as Santiago Gentiletti slammed the ball into the roof of the net following a corner.

The away side controlled the game intelligently and kept possession impressively as they restricted Sampdoria to few second-half chances.

The win lifts them to second in the Serie A table with only two games to go.