Osimhen's headed goal not enough as Napoli crash out of Champions League

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen scored a late goal for Napoli but it peoved too little, too late as Serie A leaders, Napoli exited the UEFA Champions League after a 1-1 draw against AC Milan on Tuesday night at the Diego Maradona stadium in Naples. 

Milan however advanced to the semifinals 2-1 on aggregate following the 1-0 first leg win in Milan last week Wednesday. 
 

Napoli piled on the pressure as soon as the whistle for the kick off went 

Matteo Politano's 20th minute shot went agonizingly wide but AC Milan were awarded a penalty from the ensuing counter after Rafael Leão was fouled inside the box. 

Olivier Giroud stepped up but his spot kick was however saved. 

Piotr Zieliński produced a tame shot in the 26th minute after a Giovanni di Lorenzo cut back but it was easy catch for the Milan keeper Mike Maignan. 

Milan weaved their way into the Napoli box afterwards but Giroud was denied again. 

Leao made contact with Napoli substitute Hirving Lozano inside the home side's penalty area in the 36th minute but the VAR check ruled there was no penalty for the Serie A leaders. 

Osimhen had a rare chance to get on the scoresheet four minutes to the halftime break but was beaten in the aerial battle with Milan's Theo Hernandez. 

Milan scored in the 43rd minute through Giroud with a great work from Leao who broke loose after pouncing on a sloppy play in the Napoli half. 

The Portuguese went on a mazy run before setting up Giroud to poke home from close range. 

Osimhen handled the ball before scoring in added time of the first half which was rightly ruled out. 

With nine minutes to fulltime, Fikayo Tomori handled the ball inside the Milan box after Osimhen teed up Di Lorenzo whose low cross was intercepted with the arm by Tomori. 

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia missed from 12 yards on an uneventful evening for the Napolitano. 

Osimhen's header went a whisker off target moments later but there was no stopping his header from the next attacking phase by Napoli in the third minute of stoppage time.

AC Milan however repelled any further threats from Osimhen and co to advance to their semifinals of the competition. 

Izuchukwu Michael

Photo Credit : uefa.com

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