Matteo Politano's decisive late goal secured a vital 1-0 victory for Napoli against AC Milan, blowing the Serie A title race wide open.
The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona witnessed a high-stakes encounter on April 6, 2026. Napoli, sitting third with 62 points, hosted second-placed AC Milan, who held a slim one-point advantage. Both teams arrived with strong recent form, promising a fiercely contested battle.
The first half began with immediate intensity from the home side. Napoli pressed forward, looking to assert dominance in midfield.
An early yellow card for Napoli's Alessandro Buongiorno in the 12th minute set a tense tone. He was cautioned for a tripping offense as Milan attempted to build an attack.
Despite Napoli's slight edge in possession and total shots, Mike Maignan in the Milan goal remained largely untroubled. Both defenses held firm, leading to a cagey opening 45 minutes without any goals.
At halftime, the deadlock suggested a tactical battle with little separating the sides. Both managers undoubtedly sought to inject more attacking urgency and find the breakthrough.
The second half saw a flurry of substitutions as managers tried to shift momentum. Milan introduced Alexis Saelemaekers and Niclas Füllkrug just after the hour mark.
Napoli responded, bringing on Giovane in the 70th minute. Milan then made a key change with Christopher Nkunku entering the fray in the 74th minute, shortly followed by Leonardo Spinazzola for Napoli.
The decisive moment arrived in the 79th minute. Matteo Politano, an impactful substitute, found the back of the net for Napoli. His well-taken goal ignited the home crowd and put his team in front.
Politano received a yellow card just two minutes later, in the 81st minute, for a cynical foul after his goal. Milan pushed for an equalizer, making further changes with Fikayo Tomori and Youssouf Fofana.
Napoli solidified their defense with late substitutions of their own, introducing the experienced Kevin De Bruyne and Juan Jesus in the 85th minute to see out the game.
Napoli finished with an Expected Goals (xG) of 0.75 compared to Milan’s 0.47, reflecting their offensive efforts. The home side also registered 10 total shots with 3 on target, against Milan's 7 shots with just 1 on target. Napoli held 53% possession, demonstrating their control of the ball.
This narrow victory significantly tightens the Serie A title race. Napoli now sits just one point behind AC Milan, ensuring a thrilling conclusion to the season. Politano's late heroics could prove instrumental for the Azzurri's ambitions.
