¡Sí era penal! Huge penalty not called on Chucky Lozano as Napoli exit the Champions League

AC Milan are in the Champions League semifinals after drawing Napoli 1-1 (for a 2-1 in aggregate) in the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The Rossoneri will play this stage for the first time since the 2006-07 season, but the history could have been completely different if referee Szymon Marciniak and VAR had not looked to the other side in a clear penalty not called on Mexican winger Hirving "Chucky" Lozano. 

I get that it could have been difficult to see it in real-time, but what were they doing at VAR? Watching Looney Tunes?

Penalty on Chucky Lozano not called in Champions League

Lozano came off the bench in the 34th minute to replace the injured Matteo Politano and seconds later went down after a blazing tackle from Rafael Leão.

¡Entradon sobre Chucky Lozano y no marcan penaaaaal!

Napoli 0-0 Milan

EN VIVO: https://t.co/xq3bThvjwM
Zona TUDN en ViX #TUChampions #Napoli #Milan pic.twitter.com/aLb6eMln5J

— Zona TUDN (@Zona_TUDN) April 18, 2023

Polish referee Szymon Marciniak did not call a penalty but stopped the game while VAR reviewed the play. People watching the game at home saw the same images that clearly showed Leão fouling Lozano and expected the official to correct his decision. However, for some strange reason, VAR concluded that it was not a PK.

Gasp!

Se questo non è rigore, non capite nulla di calcio.

Leao tocca prima il piede d’appoggio di Lozano, poi anche il pallone.

Il resto è fuffa.#NapoliMilan pic.twitter.com/2j7eaKQQmU

— Andrea Tiberio (@AndreaTiberio7) April 18, 2023

HOW-ON-EARTH!

The penalty could have changed the series' destiny but favored AC Milan in the end, as a few minutes later, they saw themselves up on the scoreboard thanks to a colossal counterattack led by Leão and finished by Olivier Giroud.

THIS RUN FROM RAFAEL LEÃO TO SET UP OLIVER GIROUD. pic.twitter.com/BAcU8kdZe7

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 18, 2023

In the second half, Napoli had chances to equalize and bring suspense to the series; however, they wasted all of them, including a penalty on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's feet.

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen eventually drew the game in the 93rd minute, but it was too late to attempt some epic remontada.

AC Milan will face the series winner between Benfica and crosstown nemesis Inter in the semifinals.