Milan 2-1 Spezia: Giroud scores late winner and is sent off as champions go second

Olivier Giroud scored a late winner and was sent off for his celebration as Milan beat Spezia 2-1 to go second in Serie A.

Theo Hernandez put the Rossoneri on course for back-to-back wins after they hammered Salzburg to qualify for the Champions League round of 16 in midweek.

Daniel Maldini, son of Milan legend Paolo, then stunned his parent club by scoring Spezia’s first away goal of the season to equalise in the second half.

There was late drama at San Siro, though, as Giroud came off the bench to volley an 89th-minute winner before being shown a second yellow card for whipping off his shirt.

Milan started strongly and Rade Krunic smashed against the crossbar after cutting in from the right before they took the lead in the 21st minute.

Hernandez ghosted into the box unmarked and controlled a pinpoint pass from Ismael Bennacer on his chest before calmly finishing from close range, the goal finally given following a long VAR check for offside.

M’Bala Nzola wasted two glorious chances to equalise, rounding Ciprian Tatarusanu before blazing wide then somehow failing to convert from point-blank range after Rafael Leao’s deflected strike rattled the bar at the other end.

Bartlomiej Dragowski dived to his right to keep out Divock Origi’s strike early in the second half, but Spezia continued to pose a threat and Albin Ekdal’s header flashed over the bar.

The Rossoneri failed to heed the warning and Maldini stunned his employers just before the hour mark, finding the bottom corner of the net with a measured right-footed finish.

Milan thought they were back in front courtesy of a stunning effort from substitute Sandro Tonali, but the goal was ruled out for a foul by Fikayo Tomori on Nzola following a VAR check.

The champions were not to be denied, however, as Tonali provided a brilliant cross for Giroud to volley in at the back post before being given his marching orders in a dramatic finale.