AC Milan defeated Newcastle United 2-1 in their final Champions League encounter on Wednesday, thanks to a late goal by Nigerian striker Samuel Chukwueze. Newcastle’s hopes of advancing in Europe this season were crushed, as they needed a win to guarantee at least a place in the Europa League.
Chukwueze’s decisive strike came in the 84th minute of the match, with an assist from another Nigerian, Noah Okafor. Okafor played a precise square pass into Chukwueze’s path, who expertly bent a shot into the left side of the goal, securing the 2-1 lead for AC Milan.
Newcastle had initially taken the lead past midway in the first half when Joelinton found the top left corner with a shot from the edge of the box, assisted by Lewis Miley.
AC Milan responded in the 59th minute, as Olivier Giroud laid off the ball to Christian Pulisic, who netted from close range, leaving the goalkeeper helpless and leveling the score at 1-1.
The second half saw intense action, with Bruno Guimaraes testing the goalkeeper with a powerful shot that was miraculously saved, hitting the post in the process. Rafael Leao had a promising chance to extend AC Milan’s lead, but his shot from mid-range hit the left post.
In added time, Fikayo Tomori had an opportunity to seal the match as he latched onto a well-placed pass inside the box and took a shot. Despite beating the goalkeeper, the effort deflected off the left post, ensuring the scoreline remained 2-1 in favor of AC Milan.
The late-game heroics by Chukwueze marked a memorable victory for AC Milan and signaled the end of Newcastle United’s European aspirations for the season.
