Late Drama at San Siro as Milan Edge Lazio Amid VAR Controversy

MILAN – A contentious VAR decision in the dying moments of stoppage time fueled a fiery atmosphere at San Siro on Wednesday night as AC Milan secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Lazio. The win temporarily lifts Milan to the top of the Serie A table, but the match will be remembered as much for the drama surrounding a potential penalty as for Rafael Leão’s decisive goal.

The incident occurred in the 94th minute, with the scoreline delicately poised at 1-0 in favor of the home side. Lazio players appealed vehemently for a penalty after a challenge in the Milan penalty area, leading referee Fabio Collu to consult the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

VAR Review Sparks Outbursts

The VAR review focused on a potential handball by Lazio defender Patric, following a deflection off a Milan player. After a prolonged six-minute review, Collu ultimately waved play on, ruling that Patric had been fouled in the build-up to the incident.

The decision ignited a furious reaction from Lazio coach Massimiliano Allegri, who was promptly shown a red card for his protests. The tension spilled over onto the touchline, with a brief scuffle breaking out between members of both teams’ coaching staffs. Players from both sides also surrounded the referee, demanding explanations.

“It was a chaotic few minutes,” commented former Serie A referee Luca Marelli on DAZN. “The referee had a difficult decision to make, and the VAR review was lengthy. Ultimately, he decided the foul on Patric negated the handball, but it’s a decision that will be debated for days.”

Leão Secures Victory

The drama overshadowed a hard-fought victory for Milan, secured by Leão’s first-half strike. The Portuguese winger expertly controlled a through ball and slotted it past Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel in the 38th minute.

Despite Lazio’s late pressure, Milan held on for the win, extending their unbeaten run in Serie A to seven games. The result sees them temporarily leapfrog Juventus at the summit, although Juventus have a game in hand.

Serie A’s VAR Challenges

This incident adds to the growing scrutiny surrounding VAR implementation in Serie A. Critics argue that the lengthy review times disrupt the flow of the game and create unnecessary tension. According to data from the Italian Football Federation, the average VAR review time in Serie A this season is 3 minutes and 15 seconds, significantly higher than in other major European leagues.

The increasing reliance on VAR has also raised questions about the role of the on-field referee. Some observers believe that referees are becoming overly reliant on VAR, leading to a decline in their own decision-making confidence.

“VAR is a valuable tool, but it shouldn’t be a crutch,” said former Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi. “Referees need to maintain their authority and make quick, decisive calls. Too often, we see games held up for minutes while VAR reviews marginal incidents.”

Milan will travel to face Fiorentina next weekend, while Lazio will host Empoli. Both teams will be hoping to put the controversy of this match behind them and focus on their respective Serie A campaigns.

Last updated November 29, 2025