UCL: AC Milan Crash Out of Champions League as Feyenoord Advance

Relive the drama as Feyenoord advance to the Champions League last 16, ending AC Milan's European campaign.

Feyenoord staged a remarkable comeback to hold AC Milan to a 1-1 draw at the San Siro, securing a 2-1 aggregate victory and a spot in the UEFA Champions League last 16. Despite leveling the aggregate score within a minute, Milan's Champions League campaign came to a disappointing end.

The match got off to a blistering start as Malick Thiaw kept the ball in play at the far post, setting up a header that Santiago Gimenez, a former Feyenoord player, expertly converted just a month after leaving Rotterdam. The first half was largely dominated by Milan, with Feyenoord's defense facing intense pressure.

Famous night for Feyenoord in Milan 👏#UCL pic.twitter.com/uS2rFDYg3J

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 18, 2025

Joao Felix came close to giving Milan the edge in the tie with a wicked strike that forced an impressive save from Timon Wellenreuther. Despite being on the back foot, Feyenoord regained their composure at halftime and avoided conceding further goals. However, they still had to weather the storm in the second half, with Rafael Leao testing Wellenreuther at his near post.

The turning point came when Theo Hernandez received his second yellow card for a dive in the area, leaving Milan with 10 men. The red card seemed to deflate Milan, and Feyenoord capitalized on the momentum shift. With under 20 minutes remaining, Hugo Bueno found space on the left and delivered a pinpoint cross to Julian Carranza, who headed home from six yards to seal Feyenoord's progression.

San Siro scenes 🫨#acmfey • #UCL pic.twitter.com/C8MkFfKzTR

— Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) February 18, 2025

The youngest Feyenoord team to ever compete in a European match displayed remarkable bravery, defying expectations with their poised performance. As the game wore on, the question lingered: would Feyenoord's inexperience ultimately be their downfall?

However, with the numerical advantage, Feyenoord demonstrated a maturity that belied their youthful lineup, exuding the composure of a seasoned Champions League side. As the clock ticked down, their poise under pressure proved decisive.

The Dutch team breathed a collective sigh of relief when only five minutes of stoppage time were announced, and this reprieve seemed to galvanize them. Seizing the opportunity, Feyenoord secured a historic berth in the Champions League's last 16, ending a 50-year drought.

Post-match reaction from Santiago Gimenez 🎙️#MilanFeyenoord #UCL #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/8nFT5UbsHV

— AC Milan (@acmilan) February 18, 2025

In stark contrast, seven-time Champions League winners AC Milan will now shift their focus to the Serie A campaign, seeking to secure a spot in next season's premier European competition.