Moreira double rescues unbeaten AC Milan in draw with Lazio

AC Milan recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 with SS Lazio, as Diego Moreira scored twice in the space of two minutes to deny the Serie A leaders all three points.

The result extended Milan’s unbeaten start to the season, although it was their second successive draw. It also continued the unusual pattern of every Rossoneri goal this campaign being scored in the second half.

Both sides threatened early, with Samuel Chukwueze seeing a header saved before Tijjani Noslin was denied with a first-time effort.

Lazio took the lead in the 10th minute. Matteo Cancellieri arrived at the far post to turn in Mattia Zaccagni’s low cross and give the hosts the advantage.

Mike Maignan then produced an excellent intervention, racing from his goal to prevent Zaccagni from finishing. He was fortunate moments later when Davide Frattesi’s effort rolled narrowly wide of the post.

Chukwueze remained Milan’s main attacking outlet and delivered a precise cross which Strahinja Pavlovic headed over. Lazio doubled their advantage in strange circumstances soon afterwards.

Pervis Estupinan diverted Kenneth Taylor’s low delivery on to his own crossbar. As the ball dropped, Noslin headed it towards goal while Koni De Winter attempted to clear, with the effort eventually finding the net.

Milan almost reduced the deficit before half-time. Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s shot deflected off Zaccagni and flashed wide, while Mario Gila’s attempt from the resulting corner was saved.

Ruben Amorim responded with a triple substitution before the restart and Milan began the second half on the front foot. Oliver Provstgaard blocked a Chukwueze shot before Pavlovic headed another cross directly at Christos Mandas.

Mandas then got a strong hand to Christian Pulisic’s low effort, but could do nothing to prevent Moreira from pulling one back in the 65th minute. The substitute met Pulisic’s looped cross with a powerful volley.

Moreira completed the comeback moments later. Adrien Rabiot laid the ball into his path and the forward struck a low finish into the bottom corner to make it 2-2.

Lazio pushed for a winner, but Maignan saved an ambitious attempt from Zaccagni, while Alphadjo Cisse curled an effort wide.

Moreira came close to completing his hat-trick when he found space in the box, but his shot struck the side netting. Omari Hutchinson also tried his luck late on, although his effort was held.

The draw ended Lazio’s perfect record, but they remain top of Serie A for now. Moreira was named Flashscore’s Man of the Match.