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Leão’s Brace Lifts Milan to Serie A Lead After VAR-Decided Win Over Fiorentina

The Portuguese forward scored on his first Serie A start of the season, converting a VAR-awarded penalty that Fiorentina publicly condemned.

Soccer Football - Serie A - AC Milan v Fiorentina - San Siro, Milan, Italy - October 19, 2025 AC Milan's Rafael Leao scores their first goal REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo
Soccer Football - Serie A - AC Milan v Fiorentina - San Siro, Milan, Italy - October 19, 2025 AC Milan's Rafael Leao celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo
Soccer Football - Serie A - AC Milan v Fiorentina - San Siro, Milan, Italy - October 19, 2025 AC Milan's Rafael Leao scores their second goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo
Soccer Football - Serie A - AC Milan v Fiorentina - San Siro, Milan, Italy - October 19, 2025 AC Milan's Rafael Leao celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo

Overview

  • AC Milan beat Fiorentina 2-1 at San Siro as Rafael Leão equalised from long range and then converted a late spot-kick following an on-field VAR review for Fabiano Parisi’s contact on Santiago Giménez.
  • The victory moved Milan to 16 points and first place, taking advantage of defeats for Napoli and Roma, while Fiorentina stayed winless in 18th on three points.
  • Leão’s penalty was his first taken and converted for Milan in Serie A, capping his return to the starting XI after an injury layoff and marking his first league goals at San Siro since May 2024.
  • Fiorentina coach Stefano Pioli and director Daniele Pradé criticised the decision to award the penalty, describing the call as disgraceful and questioning VAR’s role.
  • In a notable post-goal moment, defender Matteo Gabbia stopped Leão from removing his shirt during the celebration, preventing an automatic yellow card for the forward.