Football

Igor Paixao Takes Feyenoord To Surprise 1-0 Win Over AC Milan In Champions League

Igor Paixao helped Feyenoord fans to forget Santiago Gimenez by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory over AC Milan in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff on Thursday (February 13, 2025). Gimenez lined up on the other side for Milan after transferring from Feyenoord on the final day of the winter transfer window for a reported 30 million euros (31 million US dollars) plus bonuses. He was expected to be sorely missed having scored five goals in the group stage. Instead, he was upstaged all night by the livewire Paixao. The Brazilian striker scored from the edge of the penalty area in the third minute following an error from goalkeeper Mike Maignan. It was his second goal in the competition and eighth of the season overall.

Netherlands Soccer Champions League playoff first leg Feyenoord vs AC Milan
Champions League playoff first leg: Feyenoord's players salute fans | Photo: AP/Peter Dejong

Feyenoord's players salute fans after the the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Feyenoord and AC Milan, at the De Kuip stadium, in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

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Netherlands Soccer Champions League playoff first leg Feyenoord vs AC Milan: Ibrahim Osman
Champions League playoff first leg: Feyenoord's Ibrahim Osman attempts a bicycle kick | Photo: AP/Peter Dejong

Feyenoord's Ibrahim Osman attempts a bicycle kick next to AC Milan's Kyle Walker during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Feyenoord and AC Milan, at the De Kuip stadium, in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

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Netherlands Soccer Champions League playoff first leg Feyenoord vs AC Milan: Joao Felix
Champions League playoff first leg: AC Milan's Joao Felix challenges for the ball with Feyenoord's Jakub Moder | Photo: AP/Peter Dejong

AC Milan's Joao Felix, right, challenges for the ball with Feyenoord's Jakub Moder during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Feyenoord and AC Milan, at the De Kuip stadium, in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

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Netherlands Soccer Champions League playoff first leg Feyenoord vs AC Milan: Santiago Gimenez
Champions League playoff first leg: AC Milan's Santiago Gimenez challenges for the ball with Feyenoord's David Hancko | Photo: AP/Peter Dejong

AC Milan's Santiago Gimenez, right, challenges for the ball with Feyenoord's David Hancko during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Feyenoord and AC Milan, at the De Kuip stadium, in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

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Netherlands Soccer Champions League playoff first leg Feyenoord vs AC Milan: David Hancko
Champions League playoff first leg: Feyenoord's David Hancko kicks the ball next to AC Milan's Santiago Gimenez | Photo: AP/Peter Dejong

Feyenoord's David Hancko kicks the ball next to AC Milan's Santiago Gimenez during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Feyenoord and AC Milan, at the De Kuip stadium, in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

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Netherlands Soccer Champions League playoff first leg Feyenoord vs AC Milan: Quinten Timber
Champions League playoff first leg: Feyenoord's Quinten Timber kicks the ball next to AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders | Photo: AP/Peter Dejong

Feyenoord's Quinten Timber kicks the ball next to AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Feyenoord and AC Milan, at the De Kuip stadium, in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

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Netherlands Soccer Champions League playoff first leg Feyenoord vs AC Milan: Jakub Moder
Champions League playoff first leg: Feyenoord's Jakub Moder jumps for a header with AC Milan's Rafael Leao | Photo: AP/Peter Dejong

Feyenoord's Jakub Moder, left, jumps for a header with AC Milan's Rafael Leao during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Feyenoord and AC Milan, at the De Kuip stadium, in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

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Netherlands Soccer Champions League playoff first leg Feyenoord vs AC Milan: Santiago Gimenez
Champions League playoff first leg: AC Milan's Santiago Gimenez tries to stop a cross from Feyenoord's Anis Hadj Moussa | Photo: AP/Peter Dejong

AC Milan's Santiago Gimenez tries to stop a cross from Feyenoord's Anis Hadj Moussa during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Feyenoord and AC Milan, at the De Kuip stadium, in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

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Netherlands Soccer Champions League playoff first leg Feyenoord vs AC Milan: Mike Maignan
Champions League playoff first leg: AC Milan's goalkeeper Mike Maignan dives to save a shot | Photo: AP/Peter Dejong

AC Milan's goalkeeper Mike Maignan dives to save a shot during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Feyenoord and AC Milan, at the De Kuip stadium, in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

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Netherlands Soccer Champions League playoff first leg Feyenoord vs AC Milan: Quinten Timber
Champions League playoff first leg: Feyenoord's Quinten Timber kicks the ball next to AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders | Photo: AP/Peter Dejong

Feyenoord's Quinten Timber kicks the ball next to AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Feyenoord and AC Milan, at the De Kuip stadium, in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

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