AC Milan Edges Fiorentina 2-1, Takes Top Spot in Serie A

Leao's penalty seals win for Milan against 10-man Fiorentina 

AC Milan defeats Fiorentina 2-1 in a thrilling Serie A match. Rafael Leão scores a brace, including a penalty, to seal the win and take Milan to the top of the table.

Milan nearly took the lead in the 76th minute when Santiago Giménez had a close-range chance...

AC Milan has taken the top spot in the Serie A table after a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory against Fiorentina at the San Siro Stadium. This win keeps Fiorentina stuck in the relegation zone without a win.

Milan had a chance to take the lead early, but their city rivals' recent win over Roma meant the pressure was on. The hosts created some early opportunities, with Fikayo Tomori and Strahinja Pavlovic both having shots go off target from set pieces. However, it was Fiorentina who took the lead in the 55th minute through Robin Gosens, capitalizing on a defensive mistake. But AC Milan responded swiftly, with Rafael Leao scoring a stunning equalizer in the 63rd minute, curling the ball into the far corner from outside the box. Leao then sealed the win with a penalty in the 87th minute, sending the San Siro crowd into euphoria.

Fikayo Tomori had a golden opportunity to score in the fourth minute, but he headed the ball over the bar from inside the penalty area, failing to trouble the goalkeeper. The Rossoneri's struggles in front of goal continued before halftime, with Strahinja Pavlovic heading wide from close range, leaving fans wondering what could have been.

The dynamics of the game shifted dramatically 10 minutes into the second half when Robin Gosens bundled the ball home to give the visitors the lead. This goal not only marked Gosens' first Serie A goal of the season but also proved to be the turning point in the match, leaving the home team reeling and the visitors capitalizing on their momentum.

Fiorentina's opener seemed to spark the hosts into life, and they responded swiftly. Rafael Leão scored the equalizer in the 63rd minute with a stunning strike from 25 yards out, finding the bottom corner with precision and sending the home crowd into raptures. This was Milan's first shot on target.

Milan nearly took the lead in the 76th minute when Santiago Giménez had a close-range chance, but David de Gea produced a superb save, tipping the ball over the bar to deny the home side.

A Rafael Leão brace gives Milan the win! ✌️#MilanFiorentina pic.twitter.com/SXP5MFddww

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) October 19, 2025

With the match seemingly heading for a draw, a VAR decision changed the course of the game, awarding AC Milan a penalty in the 85th minute. Rafael Leao stepped up and coolly slotted the ball past David de Gea, sending the San Siro crowd into raptures and giving his side a 2-1 lead. This crucial penalty sealed the win for AC Milan, moving them to the top of the Serie A table.

The penalty proved decisive, as Fiorentina's energy waned after their earlier efforts. The 2-1 win sent AC Milan top of the Serie A table by a single point, capping off a significant victory for the Rossoneri. Meanwhile, the loss dealt a blow to Fiorentina's manager Stefano Pioli, marking his 500th Serie A match.

Match Details

Score: AC Milan 2-1 Fiorentina

Goals:

• Gosens (F): 55th minute
• Leao (M): 63rd minute, 87th minute (penalty)

Venue: San Siro Stadium

Rafael Leão is the Panini Player of the Match 🏆#MilanFiorentina pic.twitter.com/IyOg5XmLT0

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) October 19, 2025

This win marks a significant turnaround for AC Milan, who were dealing with a major injury crisis but managed to secure the three points thanks to Leao's brace. The victory propels Milan to the top of the Serie A standings, while Fiorentina remains in the relegation zone, putting pressure on their coach, Stefano Pioli.