AC Milan reached the semifinals of the Champions League on Tuesday after Olivier Giroud struck the crucial goal in a 1-1 draw at Napoli which completed a 2-1 aggregate victory over their fellow Italians.
Serie A champions-elect Napoli dominated early on – but Milan won a penalty with one of their first attacks, although Giroud’s spot-kick was saved by Alex Meret.
The veteran Frenchman got the opening goal, though, to make it 2-0 on aggregate when he tapped in following a sensational 70-yard run by Rafael Leao to set him up.
Napoli were then gifted a way back into the game when Fikayo Tomori handled in the box, but visiting keeper Mike Maignan saved Khvicha Kvaratskhelia‘s penalty.
They did eventually score, through a Victor Osimhen header with seconds remaining in the match – and there was not enough time to create another chance.
Napoli, who are 22 points clear of Milan in the league table, have lost form at a critical time and failed to take a host of opportunities, with 39 efforts across both legs.
