With a goal from Julian Carranza on Tuesday, Feyenoord pulled away from AC Milan to draw 1-1 and earn a 2-1 aggregate playoff victory that guaranteed them a spot in the Champions League last 16.
Theo Hernandez was sent off for the home team. Santiago Gimenez’s goal against his old team gave Milan the lead in less than a minute, but Hernandez’s red card turned the tide of the match, and Carranza’s incredible header in the 73rd minute put the Dutch team ahead.
In the round of 16, Feyenoord will face either Inter Milan or Arsenal; the opponents will be determined by Friday’s draw.
Milan launched an offensive right away. Gimenez signalled to the home crowd behind the goal to increase their volume after winning a corner in the first few seconds, and the Mexican soon provided them plenty of justification to do so.
Christian Pulisic floated a pass towards the far post from a short corner move, and Gimenez nodded the ball over the line after Malick Thiaw headed it back across goal.
Gimenez appeared almost contrite, but the San Siro fans more than made up for his lack of celebration. Gimenez only joined Milan from Feyenoord two weeks ago.
With Gimenez playing in Joao Felix, who placed his effort over the bar, Milan appeared to have a better chance of taking the lead overall before halftime.
Hernandez was only able to hit the rebound into the side netting after Feyenoord keeper Timon Wellenreuther parried another Felix attempt, and the visitors were unable to register a shot on goal in the first half.
As Milan pressed for a second goal after the interval, Kyle Walker tried his luck from just inside the area, but Wellenreuther got down to save.
Hernandez’s second caution for simulation six minutes into the second half, however, gave Feyenoord a huge boost in chances, but the visitors were still unable to generate any genuine chances.
Feyenoord eventually scored with their first attempt on goal, but Antoni Milambo first put a shot and then a header over the bar.
Substitute Carranza climbed up unopposed to force his header over goalie Mike Maignan after Hugo Bueno floated a lovely ball to the far post from outside the box.
Thiaw put a strong header on goal as Milan tried to force extra time, but Feyenoord held on because the goalie was in a good position to smother the ball.
As tensions erupted at the San Siro, the site of the greatest outcome in Feyenoord’s history, defender Givairo Reed was sent off after the final whistle.
After defeating Milan 2-1 on aggregate in the second round, Feyenoord defeated Celtic in extra time at the stadium to win the European Cup in 1970.
After their most recent upset, they might begin to believe in a little Dutch destiny.