Newcastle 1-2 AC Milan: Late Chukwueze goal seals Europa League spot for Rossoneri
Newcastle and Milan engaged in a thrilling and intense match, with both teams showcasing their skills and determination. The game commenced amidst the vibrant atmosphere of St. James’ Park, as the home side utilized the electric energy to exert early pressure on Milan’s defense.
Although the Magpies were unable to create clear-cut opportunities in the initial exchanges, they dominated possession in the final third, forcing Milan to remain vigilant. In the first 15 minutes, the Rossoneri’s only notable chance came from a breakaway involving Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leao, which concluded with a disappointing cross from Christian Pulisic.
In the 20th minute, it appeared that Newcastle had taken the lead. Joelinton surged into the box and directed the ball towards the goal, where Miguel Almiron awaited to tap it into an empty net. However, Fikayo Tomori executed a remarkable tackle on the goal line, wrapping his leg around Almiron and denying the Paraguayan the opportunity. This pivotal moment brought about a significant shift in momentum for the home team.
Later on, Almiron had a header from a Joelinton cross, which forced a solid save from Milan’s goalkeeper, Maignan. Newcastle displayed a great deal of attacking prowess, while Milan managed to exploit spaces behind their opponents, although their sloppy passing hindered their progress. Milan’s lack of intensity in their offensive efforts proved costly when Newcastle deservedly took the lead just after the half-hour mark. The Magpies launched a purposeful attack, with Anthony Gordon gliding through the midfield and distributing the ball wide to Tino Livramento. Livramento then delivered a pass to Joelinton on the edge of the box, who unleashed a magnificent shot into the top corner, resulting in a 1-0 lead for Newcastle.
The second half commenced with Newcastle maintaining their pressure on Milan, but the Italian side still had a foothold in the game. The news of Borussia Dortmund taking a 1-0 lead against Paris Saint-Germain meant that both Newcastle and Milan understood that a victory would secure their progression. Within a few minutes around the hour mark, Warren Zaire-Emery scored for PSG in Germany, and Milan swiftly responded with an equalizer of their own in England.