MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 19: Rafael Leao of AC Milan celebrates after scoring during the Serie A match against ACF Fiorentina at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on October 19, 2025. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Rafael Leao scored twice, including a contentious penalty, turning the match in favor of Milan after an initial goal by Robin Gosens, which propelled Milan to the top of the Serie A standings.
The Rossoneri faced significant injury challenges, missing key players like Adrien Rabiot, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christopher Nkunku, Pervis Estupinan, and Ardon Jashari. To fill the gaps, Rafael Leao and Alexis Saelemaekers were brought back from injuries to start, with Zachary Athekame and Samuele Ricci also included. Fiorentina struggled at the start of their season, putting pressure on former Milan coach Stefano Pioli. Despite some missing players, including Tariq Lamptey, Amir Richardson, and Christian Kouame, Moise Kean made his return after an ankle injury.
Catch all the action in the Liveblog.
Fikayo Tomori and Strahinja Pavlovic both missed chances after free kicks landed in their paths, while Rafael Leao was unable to convert a cross from Athekame at the back post.
Mike Maignan showcased excellent footwork, navigating away from Kean’s pressure, and Hans Nicolussi Caviglia squandered a long-range shot early in the second half.
Fiorentina opened the scoring on their first significant attack of the match when a corner was poorly cleared, allowing a hesitant Maignan to mishandle a header from Luca Ranieri. Robin Gosens was quick to tap in from close range, ensuring the ball crossed the line.
Robin Gosens strikes first for Fiorentina against AC Milan! 👀
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/ewkwfqllnb
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 19, 2025
Milan equalized through a moment of brilliance from Rafael Leao. Cutting inside from the left, he unleashed a right-footed shot that curled into the bottom corner from approximately 23 meters, catching goalkeeper David De Gea off guard while Fiorentina was briefly down to ten men due to Ranieri’s treatment for a nosebleed.
Rafael Leão displays his incredible talent ⭐
The forward strikes beautifully to equalize against Fiorentina 🎯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/nc6VfOjojK
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 19, 2025
Youssouf Fofana’s header posed no threat to De Gea, while Dodo’s effort sailed over the net, but De Gea showcased remarkable reflexes, making a stunning save to tip a volley from Santiago Gimenez over the bar after a cross from Davide Bartesaghi.
Late in the match, controversy arose when Gimenez went to ground, clutching his face. The referee awarded a penalty after a VAR review determined that Fabiano Parisi had lightly held onto Gimenez’s shoulder. Rafael Leao converted the penalty smoothly, placing it into the near bottom corner, marking his first Serie A penalty and completing his brace, the first since November 2024.
Rafael Leão does it again ⭐
A composed penalty to give AC Milan the lead 🥶
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/doMXpJBN6m
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 19, 2025
Milan 2-1 Fiorentina
Goals: Gosens 56′ (F), Leao 63′ (M), Leao pen 87′ (M)
16
33
23
46
31
24
57′
56
90′
14
4
19
10
90′
43
2
6
5
18
14
87′
22
70′
44
21
69′
8
88′
20
77′