Feyenoord reached the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time in their history after a dramatic 1-1 draw against AC Milan at San Siro secured a 2-1 aggregate victory. The Dutch side, fielding their youngest-ever starting XI in the competition, displayed composure and resilience to overcome a Milan team that suffered a major setback with Theo Hernandez’s red card early in the second half.
Gimenez's Dream Start Against His Former Club.
Santiago Gimenez, who joined Milan from Feyenoord in the winter transfer window, made an instant impact against his old club, heading home the opener after just 36 seconds. It was Milan’s third-fastest goal in Champions League history, behind Clarence Seedorf’s strike against Schalke in 2005 (21 seconds) and Alexandre Pato’s memorable goal against Barcelona in 2011 (24 seconds).
Gimenez, who had already scored three goals for Milan since his arrival, seemed destined to be the hero of the night. However, his early strike proved insufficient as Milan failed to build on their lead despite their dominance in the first half.
Hernandez's Costly Sending Off
Milan’s control of the match took a dramatic turn early in the second half when Theo Hernandez received his marching orders. Already on a booking for a reckless foul on Anis Hadj-Moussa just before the break, the French full-back was shown a second yellow card for simulation inside the Feyenoord box.
Polish referee Szymon Marciniak deemed Hernandez to have dived under pressure from Givairo Read, reducing Milan to ten men and handing the visitors a crucial advantage.
The sending-off shifted the momentum in Feyenoord’s favor, allowing the Eredivisie side to gain confidence and push forward. Milan, despite creating multiple chances, struggled to maintain their earlier attacking intensity with a man down.
Carranza Delivers the Knockout Blow
Feyenoord’s breakthrough came in the 73rd minute, thanks to Julian Carranza. The Argentine forward, who had only recently been brought on as a substitute, made an instant impact by heading home Hugo Bueno’s precise cross. The goal stunned the San Siro crowd, effectively sealing Feyenoord’s place in the next round as Milan failed to muster a response.
Carranza’s header was Feyenoord’s only attempt on target in the match, highlighting their clinical efficiency on the night. Despite Milan recording 18 shots to Feyenoord’s six and generating 1.14 expected goals, it was the Dutch side that made their chance count when it mattered most.
A Historic Night for Feyenoord
Feyenoord’s victory marks a significant milestone in their European journey. Not only did they secure their first-ever spot in the Champions League last 16, but they also became the first Dutch team to eliminate Milan in a knockout tie since Ajax defeated the Rossoneri in the 1994-95 final.
Pascal Bosschaart’s youthful squad showed remarkable composure and resilience, demonstrating that they are not merely in the competition to make up the numbers. Their reward for this historic achievement is a showdown with either Inter Milan or Arsenal in the next round.
Milan’s Champions League Dreams in Tatters.
For AC Milan, the defeat is a bitter blow in what has been an underwhelming season. Under Sergio Conceicao, Milan have struggled to find consistency in Serie A, currently sitting seventh in the league, five points behind the top four with a game in hand. Their Champions League elimination adds to the mounting pressure on Conceicao, whose future at the club is now under scrutiny.
Milan’s failure to capitalize on their early dominance and their inability to recover from Hernandez’s dismissal raise serious questions about their tactical approach and mental resilience. The Rossoneri’s attacking inefficiency was glaring, as they failed to convert their numerous chances into goals. Despite dominating possession and creating opportunities, they lacked the cutting edge needed to finish off the tie.
Late Drama: Leao and Read See Red
The match ended on a chaotic note, with a fracas at the final whistle resulting in red cards for Feyenoord’s Givairo Read and Milan forward Rafael Leao. The heated exchange underscored the frustration felt by the Milan players, who saw their European campaign come to an abrupt and disappointing end.
While the altercation did little to change the outcome, it highlighted the emotions running high in a contest that meant so much to both teams. For Milan, it was a night of what-ifs, while for Feyenoord, it was a night of triumph and celebration.
Data Debrief: Milan’s Missed Opportunity
From a statistical standpoint, Milan will look back on this match with regret. Their 18 shots to Feyenoord’s six and their superior xG (expected goals) tally of 1.14 illustrate the opportunities they had to put the tie beyond doubt. However, the lack of precision in front of goal and their numerical disadvantage proved costly.
On the other hand, Gimenez made history by becoming the first player to score for and against the same team in a single Champions League campaign. His early goal had set the stage for what could have been a perfect night, but ultimately, it was Feyenoord who delivered the decisive sucker punch through Carranza.
What’s Next?
Feyenoord now turn their attention to the round of 16, where they will face either Inter Milan or Arsenal. Regardless of the opponent, they have already exceeded expectations, and their young squad will relish the challenge ahead.
As for Milan, their focus shifts back to Serie A, where they must fight to secure a top-four finish if they hope to return to the Champions League next season. With Conceicao under increasing pressure, the coming weeks could be crucial in determining the club’s long-term direction.
For now, though, it is Feyenoord who celebrate a famous European night, while Milan are left to pick up the pieces of yet another disappointing campaign on the continental stage.
