In Rotterdam, Netherlands, an unexpected misstep by renowned goalkeeper Mike Maignan allowed Feyenoord to take an early advantage against AC Milan during their Champions League playoff match on Wednesday. This blunder ultimately led to a 1-0 loss for Milan.

As heavy rain poured over the port city, Maignan, who is the starting goalkeeper for the French national team, conceded a goal in the third minute. Brazilian striker Igor Paixão struck the ball from the left side of the penalty area, which Maignan failed to handle correctly. Although the slippery pitch might have been a contributing factor, the experienced goalie seemed to misjudge the trajectory of the shot, allowing the ball to bounce off his hands and into the net at the near post.

The mistake was particularly surprising, especially considering Maignan’s impressive track record. He was recognized as the top goalkeeper in Italy’s Serie A during Milan’s championship-winning campaign in 2022. Additionally, he earned accolades as the best goalie in the French league in 2019 while at Lille, where he built a reputation as a skilled shot-stopper with a calm demeanor.

Maignan’s error set the stage for an advantageous start for Pascal Bosschaart, who was filling in as Feyenoord’s interim coach. He had only taken the reins two days prior to the match after the club parted ways with Brian Priske. The unexpected twist of events highlighted the unpredictable nature of football and the challenges faced by teams in high-stakes situations.