FLORENCE, Italy (Interstat) — A dramatic stoppage-time equalizer from substitute Christopher Nkunku salvaged a 1-1 draw for AC Milan against Fiorentina in their Serie A season opener at Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026.

The result, which mirrored the pregame projection from Interstat’s simulator, defied the same service’s predictive metrics that heavily favored the hosts. Fiorentina had been given a 78.70 percent probability to win based on ELO ratings, but was ultimately forced to settle for a share of the points after leading for most of the second half.

In a match that was often fractious, with five yellow cards issued, clear scoring chances were at a premium for much of the contest. The first caution came in the 31st minute to Fiorentina’s Moise Kean, setting a physical tone that continued with bookings for Pervis Estupiñán in the 53rd minute and three more in a contentious final stretch.

The deadlock was broken just after the hour mark. In the 66th minute, Fiorentina midfielder Pietro Comuzzo found the breakthrough, putting the home side ahead with a well-taken goal that sent the majority of the crowd into celebration. His strike seemed poised to be the decisive moment in a tightly contested match.

AC Milan, struggling to create consistent danger in the final third, pressed for a late reprieve. Their efforts yielded a flurry of late bookings, with Nicolò Fagioli shown a yellow card in the 80th minute and Adrien Rabiot cautioned four minutes later as tensions rose.

The pivotal sequence arrived as the match entered the 90th minute. Milan’s persistence was finally rewarded when Nkunku, brought off the bench to provide an attacking spark, found the net with a clinical finish to stun the home supporters. The goal ensured the visitors would leave Florence with a point.

The drama did not end with the equalizer. In the fourth minute of added time, Milan’s Youssouf Fofana received the game’s final yellow card, but Fiorentina could not fashion a winning response before the final whistle.

The draw leaves both teams with identical records to start the Serie A campaign: 0 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw. It also marks the first result of the season for each club across all competitions. For Fiorentina, it will be viewed as two points dropped after controlling much of the game and leading late. For AC Milan, the character shown to secure a draw on the road, especially against the statistical odds, provides a foundation to build upon as the season progresses.