AC Milan Crashes Out as Feyenoord Advances in UCL \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ AC Milan’s hopes of reaching the Champions League last 16 were dashed as Theo Hernandez’s controversial red card for diving helped Feyenoord secure a 1-1 draw and a 2-1 aggregate win. Bayern Munich, Club Brugge, and Benfica also progressed, eliminating Celtic, Atalanta, and Monaco, respectively.
Champions League Knockout Drama: Quick Look
- Hernandez’s Red Card: AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez was sent off for diving, shifting momentum in Feyenoord’s favor.
- Feyenoord Advances: A late goal secured a 1-1 draw, sending the Dutch side through with a 2-1 aggregate victory.
- Bayern’s Late Heroics: Alphonso Davies scored in stoppage time to push Bayern past Celtic.
- Club Brugge’s Upset: The Belgian side eliminated Atalanta with a dominant 5-2 aggregate win.
- Benfica Moves Forward: A thrilling 3-3 draw against Monaco was enough for a 4-3 aggregate victory.
- Round of 16: Feyenoord will face either Inter Milan or Arsenal, while Bayern awaits Bayer Leverkusen or Atlético Madrid.
Deep Look
AC Milan Crashes Out as Feyenoord Advances
Few red cards have had as much influence on a game as Theo Hernandez’s controversial dismissal in AC Milan’s Champions League playoff against Feyenoord. The Dutch side took full advantage of their numerical superiority, securing a 1-1 draw in the second leg and advancing to the last 16 with a 2-1 aggregate victory over the seven-time European champions.
Hernandez, a key figure in Milan’s attack and defense, had already picked up a yellow card in the first half for lashing out at an opponent after a foul on João Félix. However, the decisive moment came in the 51st minute, when referee Szymon Marciniak booked him for simulation, reducing Milan to 10 men just as they were gaining control of the match.
The decision proved costly. Milan had been pressing aggressively, looking for a winning goal after Santiago Giménez had netted a first-minute equalizer on aggregate, erasing Feyenoord’s 1-0 first-leg lead. But Hernandez’s sending-off forced Milan to shift to a defensive approach, allowing Feyenoord to regain confidence.
With Milan struggling to hold on, Feyenoord found their moment in the 73rd minute, when Hugo Bueno delivered a precise cross into the box. Julián Carranza rose above the Milan defense and powered a header past the goalkeeper, restoring parity on the night and securing Feyenoord’s passage to the round of 16.
Milan’s Santiago Giménez reflected on how the red card changed the course of the match:
“We’re very disappointed. We started well and scored straight away. It seemed like Feyenoord couldn’t hurt us. Today it happened to Theo, but it can happen to anyone. This is soccer. We have the utmost respect for Theo, and we will give him all our support.”
Feyenoord’s Givairo Read was also shown a red card after the final whistle following a post-match confrontation, capping off an emotionally charged night.
What’s Next for Feyenoord?
Feyenoord’s reward for eliminating Milan is a place in the last 16, where they will face either Inter Milan or Arsenal. Both potential opponents will present a significant challenge, with Inter being last season’s Champions League finalists and Arsenal returning to the competition with strong domestic form.
Bayern Munich’s Stoppage-Time Escape
In another thrilling encounter, Bayern Munich avoided an upset against Celtic, thanks to Alphonso Davies’ dramatic goal in stoppage time.
Bayern had entered the second leg with a 2-1 advantage, but Nicolas Kühn, a former Bayern youth player, equalized the aggregate score by netting against his old club. With extra time looming, Bayern’s pressure finally paid off in the 94th minute, when Leon Goretzka’s shot was parried into the path of Davies, who bundled the ball over the line to secure a 1-1 draw on the night and a 3-2 win on aggregate.
“It was a tough game, but we never gave up. We knew we had to fight until the final whistle,” Davies said after the match.
The victory sends Bayern into the last 16, where they will face either Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen or Atlético Madrid.
Club Brugge Stuns Atalanta with a Ruthless Display
Belgian club Club Brugge pulled off one of the most surprising results of the playoff round, dismantling Atalanta 3-1 in Bergamo to complete a dominant 5-2 aggregate victory.
Atalanta, known for their attacking philosophy, found themselves exposed repeatedly by Brugge’s counterattacks and clinical finishing. The star of the night was 19-year-old forward Chemsdine Talbi, who scored twice and proved to be a nightmare for the Atalanta defense.
“We knew they would come at us aggressively, but we stuck to our game plan and took our chances,” Talbi said post-match.
For Atalanta, the loss is a disappointing end to their Champions League run, especially after winning the Europa League last season.
Benfica Holds Off Monaco in High-Scoring Thriller
In Lisbon, Benfica and Monaco produced one of the most exciting matches of the round, playing to a 3-3 draw that saw the Portuguese giants advance 4-3 on aggregate.
Monaco started the night needing a comeback after losing the first leg 1-0, and they put up a fierce fight. However, Benfica’s attacking quality shone through, as they managed to score crucial goals that ensured they remained ahead in the tie.
Despite a late push from Monaco, Benfica held on to book their place in the last 16.
Round of 16: What’s Next?
With the playoff round concluded, the focus now shifts to the Champions League last 16 draw, set to take place on Friday.
The confirmed teams joining the knockout stage so far:
- Feyenoord will face either Inter Milan or Arsenal.
- Bayern Munich awaits Bayer Leverkusen or Atlético Madrid.
- Club Brugge and Benfica will also discover their next opponents.
Champions League Outlook
As the tournament heads into its knockout phase, the competition is only getting tougher. Heavyweights like Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain are already through, and the addition of teams like Bayern, Benfica, and Feyenoord sets up some intriguing clashes ahead.
With Milan’s elimination, Italy now has fewer representatives in the knockout stage, putting more pressure on Inter Milan and Napoli to carry the flag for Serie A. Meanwhile, the Bundesliga and Premier League clubs remain strong contenders, and Club Brugge’s surprising run could make them the dark horse of the tournament.
The path to the final in June is still long, but the drama has only just begun.
AC Milan Crashes AC Milan Crashes
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