Heartbreak for Milan teenager Francesco Camarda as goal ruled out but he still sets record

MILAN (AP) — AC Milan teenager Francesco Camarda thought he had become the youngest Champions League goalscorer in history. But then the VAR intervened.

The 16-year-old Camarda threw off his jersey in celebration as he wheeled away after heading in a Tijjani Reijnders cross late on in Milan’s match against Club Brugge on Tuesday. He then stood in front of the Milan fans with his hands cupped to his ears before being hoisted onto his teammates' shoulders.

Camarda’s mother and his girlfriend were shown in the stands wiping away their tears.

However, the goal was then ruled out by the video assistant referee for offside.

“It was emotional, I think the best feeling of my life but then the VAR played a trick on me,” Camarda said after the match. “I’m really disappointed but these are things that happen, especially in modern day soccer.”

Camarda would have become the youngest Champions League scorer at 16 years and 226 days. The is held by Ansu Fati, who was 17 years and 40 days when he netted for Barcelona against Inter Milan in 2019.

Instead, he had to settle for just the one record: becoming the youngest Italian debutant in the competition when he was brought on in the 75th minute as the San Siro crowd chanted his name.

“The record gives me a lot of pride, honestly, but now it pushes me to give more to improve and ensure that these nights happen more often,” said Camarda, who added that it was “absolutely” the best night of his career.

He was fiercely hugged by his father pitchside after the match, which Milan won 3-1.

Camarda — who is considered one of Italy’s brightest prospects — holds the record for the youngest player in Serie A history, set when he played against Fiorentina last season aged just 15.

He had played only one other match for Milan, also last season.

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AC Milan's head coach Paulo Fonseca, center, talks to Francesco Camarda after the Champions League opening phase soccer match between AC Milan and Club Brugge at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calani)

AC Milan's Francesco Camarda celebrates after scoring a goal that was later disallowed, during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between AC Milan and Club Brugge at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

AC Milan's Francesco Camarda heads the ball to score a disallowed goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between AC Milan and Club Brugge at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calani)

AC Milan's Francesco Camarda, bottom, reacts after the Champions League opening phase soccer match between AC Milan and Club Brugge at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calani)

AC Milan's Francesco Camarda celebrates after scoring a goal that was later disallowed, during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between AC Milan and Club Brugge at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo blocked a shot by LeBron James and stole the ball from him on consecutive possessions in the final minute, and the Milwaukee Bucks blew a fourth-quarter lead before rallying for a 105-101 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.

Kevin Porter Jr. scored 22 points, and he hit two free throws to break a tie after Antetokounmpo blocked a driving layup attempt by James with 39 seconds left.

Antetokounmpo then knocked the ball out of James' hands from behind with 2 seconds left, and Porter hit two more free throws to seal Milwaukee's fifth win in seven games — its first over a team with a winning record since Dec. 11. Antetokounmpo finished with 21 points in his lowest-scoring effort since returning from his right calf strain.

Luka Doncic had 24 points and nine assists on 8-of-25 shooting for the Lakers. He had his lowest-scoring performance since Christmas, and he fouled out on Porter's 3-point attempt with 16.2 seconds to play.

James had 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, but Antetokoumpo got the best of the top scorer in NBA history at crunch time. Los Angeles has lost six of 10.

Milwaukee surged to a double-digit lead in the first half even with Antetokounmpo on a minutes restriction in his injury return. Doncic scored 12 points in the third quarter but also committed four fouls in the period, including his fifth of the game.

Los Angeles abruptly erased its deficit by going on a 17-4 run to open the fourth, with James putting the Lakers ahead when he stole the ball from Antetokounmpo for a layup with 6:02 left. Milwaukee missed nine of its first 12 shots in the period, but Porter's layup tied it with two minutes left.

Lakers starters Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura remain sidelined by injury, but Hachimura (calf) might return early next week from his six-game absence, coach JJ Redick said.

Bucks: At Denver on Sunday.

Lakers: At Sacramento on Monday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart, left, tries to shoot as Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, and Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. go after a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)