Feyenoord eliminate AC Milan in Champions League playoff

Feyenoord knocked AC Milan out of the Champions League as they recovered to draw 1-1 with a goal by Julián Carranza on Tuesday, securing a 2-1 aggregate playoff win to earn a place in the Champions League round of 16. The match was filled with high drama, tension, and controversy, with the hosts suffering a major blow as Theo Hernández was sent off, shifting the momentum in Feyenoord’s favor.

Milan wasted no time in making their mark, leveling the tie on aggregate in under a minute when Santiago Gimenez found the back of the net against his former club. The early goal sent shockwaves through the Feyenoord camp, forcing them to adjust their strategy as they sought to avoid an early collapse. However, the red card for Hernández proved to be a turning point in the game, tipping the scales in Feyenoord’s favor. Carranza later delivered a superb header in the 73rd minute, sealing the Dutch side's progression to the next round.

With their spot secured in the last 16, Feyenoord now awaits their next challenge, where they will face either Inter Milan or Arsenal, with their opponents set to be determined in Friday's draw. Having overcome a formidable side like AC Milan, Feyenoord will be brimming with confidence as they prepare for the next stage of the competition.

Milan came out with an aggressive approach from the first whistle, pushing forward with intensity and looking to impose their dominance. Gimenez, demonstrating his intent from the outset, won a corner in the opening seconds and urged the home fans behind the goal to raise the decibel levels at the San Siro. The Mexican striker did not have to wait long to reward the enthusiastic crowd, as he pounced on a well-orchestrated short corner move. Christian Pulisic floated an inviting pass towards the far post, where Malick Thiaw intelligently placed a header back across goal, allowing Gimenez to nod the ball over the line. The goal was met with raucous cheers from the Milan faithful, though Gimenez, who had only recently transferred from Feyenoord, chose to keep his celebrations muted out of respect for his former club.

Despite Milan's early goal, Feyenoord maintained their composure and gradually settled into the game. The Italian side continued to apply pressure, with Gimenez turning provider for João Félix, who squandered a golden opportunity by blasting his effort over the bar. Milan's relentless attack saw Feyenoord's goalkeeper, Timon Wellenreuther, called into action multiple times. He parried away a powerful attempt from Félix, while Hernández could only direct the rebound into the side netting. Meanwhile, Feyenoord struggled to carve out clear-cut chances in the first half, failing to register a single shot on target before the break.

Milan resumed the second half with the same attacking intent, and Kyle Walker tried his luck from just inside the area. However, Wellenreuther remained steadfast, making an important save to deny the English defender. Just as Milan appeared poised to seize control, the match took a dramatic twist when Hernández received a second yellow card for simulation. The decision left the home side in disbelief and provided Feyenoord with a significant numerical advantage. Despite the setback for Milan, Feyenoord initially struggled to make the extra man count, as their attacking moves lacked precision and purpose.

Antoni Milambo attempted to break the deadlock with two efforts—a shot and a header—but both attempts failed to trouble Mike Maignan. Just when it seemed like the visitors were running out of ideas, they capitalized on their first real opportunity. Hugo Bueno delivered an exquisite ball from the left flank, curling it towards the far post with pinpoint accuracy. Substitute Carranza, despite being under the weather, rose unchallenged and powered a header past Maignan, sending the traveling Feyenoord supporters into a frenzy.

Reflecting on his decisive goal, Carranza admitted that he had been struggling with illness but was overjoyed to make an impact. "I'm sick, still, but happy," he told Ziggo Sport. "I didn't feel great, but it was something unforgettable to come in and score." His resilience and determination encapsulated the fighting spirit that had propelled Feyenoord to this stage of the competition.

As the clock ticked down, Milan threw everything forward in search of an equalizer that would take the tie into extra time. Thiaw came close with a powerful header, but Wellenreuther stood firm, positioning himself well to smother the ball. The tension inside the San Siro was palpable as Milan launched wave after wave of attacks, but Feyenoord's defensive line held resolute, repelling every attempt with unwavering determination.

In the aftermath of the final whistle, tempers flared as Feyenoord defender Givairo Reed was shown a red card. The frustration among the Milan players was evident, as they struggled to come to terms with their elimination from the tournament. Meanwhile, for Feyenoord, the victory marked yet another historic moment at the iconic stadium.

The significance of the win was not lost on Feyenoord's supporters, as memories of their triumph in 1970 came flooding back. That year, the Dutch club won the European Cup by defeating Celtic after extra time at the same venue, having also knocked out Milan 2-1 on aggregate in the second round. The parallels between the two moments are uncanny, and many within the Feyenoord camp will undoubtedly start to believe that fate may be on their side as they continue their European adventure.

For Milan, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. Having dominated large portions of the first half and created the better chances, they were left ruing their missed opportunities and the contentious red card decision. Walker, speaking to Sky after the match, expressed his disappointment at the turning point. "The way we were controlling the game in the first half and at the beginning of the second, there was only one team on the pitch," he lamented. "Then the referee made his decision [to send off Hernández], and the game changed."

Despite the heartbreak, Milan must quickly shift their focus to domestic competitions as they look to regroup and bounce back from this setback. Meanwhile, Feyenoord can relish their hard-fought triumph and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead in the Champions League. Their victory over a European heavyweight like Milan will undoubtedly instill belief within the squad and among their fans that they are capable of causing further upsets.

As the dust settles on a dramatic night in Milan, the echoes of Feyenoord's triumph will reverberate through the corridors of European football. With a place in the round of 16 secured, they now have the opportunity to etch another chapter into their storied history. Whether destiny is truly guiding them towards another European fairytale remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Feyenoord have announced their arrival on the grandest stage once more.