ITALY: Rafael Leão scores wondergoal in Milan defeat [video]

AC Milan endured a miserable defeat to Fiorentina at San Siro on Sunday evening in Serie A, but the game ended on a high when young striker Rafael Leão scored his first goal for the Rossoneri.

The Portuguese forward registered a late consolation in a 3-1 defeat, but the nature of the strike represents a huge boost for the 20-year-old who joined the club from Lille in the summer.

Fiorentina ran Milan ragged on the night, with veteran Frenchman Frank Ribery at the heart of a convincing performance from the visitors. Erick Pulgar’s penalty was followed by second half strikes from Gaetano Catrovilli and 36-year-old Ribery, while Milan’s evening was compounded by a red card issued to Mateo Musacchio.

However, for Leão the night brought his first big moment in a Milan shirt ten minutes from time. The former Sporting striker evaded three Fiorentina defenders on a mazy run before coolly slotting the ball past goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski to open his account for the season.

The defeat leaves Milan in 16th place, with coach Marco Giampaolo reportedly clinging to his job after becoming the first coach in 30 years to lose four of his first six games in charge at the club.

By Sean Gillen