Victor Osimhen was on target for Napoli but it was too late as AC Milan edged out Napoli 2-1 on aggregate after two legs to qualify for the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
In an all-Italian dramatic encounter, Milan had the chance to go 1-0 up on the night and 2-0 on aggregate when the referee pointed to the spot in the 22nd minute after Mario Rui clattered into Rafael Leao. Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret denied Milan striker Oliver Giroud from the spot to keep the game even.
The Frenchman will however not be denied in the 43rd minute as Leao surged forward with exquisite elegance, knocking out three opponents in his stride before handing the ball over to Giroud to score from close range.
Drama continued with 10 minutes to the end of the game, as the referee awarded a penalty for Napoli after Fikayo Tomori handled the ball in the 18-yard box. But the resulting penalty was parried to safety by Mike Maignan denying Khvicha Kvaratskhelia a goal that would have handed the hosts a lifeline into the game.
However, with a minute to the end of the game, Osimhen headed home the equaliser but it was not enough to take the game into extra time as Milan players and fans bursted into wild celebration after the final whistle from Polish referee Szymon Marciniak.
Osimhen scored five goals in the champions league this season equaling the most goals scored by a Nigerian in a single Champions League campaign scored by Obafemi Martins and Yakubu Aiyegbeni.
