Rafael Leao’s crucial goal, supported by Mike Maignan’s heroics, secured AC Milan a temporary Serie A top spot against Lazio, though VAR controversy sparked a dramatic finale.
According to a report from Reuters, AC Milan secured a hard-fought 1-0 home win over Lazio on Saturday, thanks to a decisive goal from Rafael Leão early in the second half.
The victory puts Milan on 28 points, provisionally taking over at the top of Serie A, one point above second-placed AS Roma. Lazio remains in eighth place with 18 points.
The match began intensely, with Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan producing a moment of brilliance inside two minutes, making a spectacular, fingertip save to claw away Mario Gila’s point-blank header onto the crossbar.
The hosts struggled offensively in the opening half, failing to register a single shot on target before the break.
Milan returned with “renewed vigour” after halftime. The breakthrough came six minutes into the second half, when a well-worked move allowed Fikayo Tomori to drive in a low cross that Leão met with a sliding finish. The Rossoneri were already unbeaten in 13 matches across all competitions.
The match concluded with high tension after nearly 14 minutes of stoppage time. In the final seconds, Lazio appealed for a penalty for an alleged handball.
Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri was subsequently sent off for protesting against the referee reviewing the incident on the VAR monitor, and Lazio assistant coach Marco Ianni was also dismissed for dissent moments later.
The stadium erupted in relief when the penalty was ruled out, the referee judging that a foul had occurred first.