Giroud scores last-minute winner and is sent off after he "forgot" he was booked

Former Arsenal and Chelsea star Olivier Giroud saw his delight turn to anguish as he was sent off seconds after scoring a last-gasp winner for AC Milan.

The veteran striker came off the bench to find the back of the net in the 89th minute against Spezia and keep the Rossoneri six points behind Serie A leaders Napoli. The two sides had been level going into the closing minutes after Daniel Maldini - the son of Milan legend Paolo - cancelled out Theo Hernandez's opener.

But Giroud sent San Siro into frenzy by getting on the end of Sandro Tonali's cross with an acrobatic volley to secure all three points. The Frenchman wheeled away to the corner flag and quickly took off his shirt to spin it around his head, such was Milan's delight.

Unfortunately for Giroud, that was enough to earn him a second yellow card. Speaking after the match, the 36-year-old confessed he had forgotten he was already in the referee's book for his part in a scuffle in the 82nd minute.

"It's a very nice goal, a nice pass from Sandro," he told Sky Sport Italia. "We wanted to win this match, we stayed energised until the end. It is important that we have three more points, but I am angry because I forgot that I was booked."

Discussing his moment of madness, Giroud added: "Perhaps I am just struggling to answer right now as I am angry with myself, I'll feel better in an hour or so. I was furious with myself, but I tried to shut up. I did my job, I put the ball in the back of the net. Football is like that, with the adrenaline and joy of giving victory to my team, after a difficult game, in my head I am still a little kid! I had to celebrate."

Will Olivier Giroud inspire France to another World Cup triumph? Have your say in the comments!

Giroud has been in fine form this season, chipping in with nine goals and four assists in 18 appearances across all competitions, including a double against Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League in midweek. He is expected to play an important role as France aim to defend their World Cup crown in Qatar.

"I don't know if it's the best moment of my career, but there are moments when you are in the right place at the right time, then I try to do what I know how to do, my life is in the penalty area," he said. "I didn't score for five games a couple of weeks ago, I was a bit frustrated, but I always tried to keep my confidence and work hard in training."

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