Feyenoord pulled off a dramatic upset at the San Siro, holding AC Milan to a 1-1 draw and advancing to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 with a 2-1 aggregate victory.
Feyenoord entered the second leg with a 1-0 aggregate lead but Milan’s winter signing Santiago Giménez, who joined from Feyenoord for €35 million, levelled the tie within a minute against his former club.
Just a few minutes into the second half, Theo Hernández was sent off after a second yellow for diving. Julián Carranza’s second-half header proved decisive, capitalising on Feyenoord’s numerical advantage. Despite dominating the first half, the Rossoneri were left to rue missed chances as Feyenoord’s makeshift squad, hit by injuries and suspensions, sealed their place in the knockouts.
As it happened
Embed from Getty ImagesMilan made a dream start, drawing level on aggregate in the 1st minute. A well-worked short corner routine saw Christian Pulisic whip in a cross to the back post, where Malick Thiaw nodded it across goal for former Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez to tap home from close range. The San Siro erupted – though the Mexican striker refrained from celebrating his goal out of respect for his old team. The hosts dominated possession and created a flurry of chances, with Tijjani Reijnders and João Félix both testing Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther.
However, Milan’s momentum took a dramatic hit in the 51st minute when Hernández received a second yellow card for simulation in the box. Referee Szymon Marciniak wasted no time brandishing the red, reducing Milan to 10 men with almost an entire half remaining.
Embed from Getty ImagesFeyenoord grew into the game as Milan sat deeper, and their persistence paid off in the 73rd minute. Hugo Bueno delivered an exquisite cross from the left flank, finding Carranza unmarked inside the six-yard box. The Argentine striker rose high to power a header past Mike Maignan and put the visitors ahead on aggregate.
Milan threw everything forward in the final minutes, but Feyenoord’s defence held firm. Rafael Leão’s frustration boiled over in stoppage time, earning him a yellow card in a post-match fracas that also saw Givairo Read sent off for the visitors.
Sergio Conceição’s Milan controlled large spells of the game but ultimately paid the price for wasteful finishing and poor discipline. Meanwhile, Feyenoord’s remarkable European journey continues with their first round of 16 appearance since 1974/75. They now await their last-16 tie, which will take place on March 5th and 12th, with either Arsenal or Inter Milan as potential challengers. A daunting challenge lies ahead, but Feyenoord will take confidence from their ability to grind out results under pressure.
The lineups
ACM: Maignan; Walker, Pavlović, Thiaw, Hernández; Musah, Reijnders; Pulisic, Félix, Leão; Giménez.
FEY: Wellenreuther; Read, Beelen, Hancko, Smal; Moder, Milambo, Bueno; Paixão, Redmond, Hadj-Moussa.
