Soccer-Giroud stars as AC Milan thrash Salzburg to book last-16 spot

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group E - AC Milan v FC Salzburg - San Siro, Milan, Italy - November 2, 2022 AC Milan's Olivier Giroud in action with FC Salzburg's Oumar Solet REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo

MILAN (Reuters) -French forward Olivier Giroud scored two goals and created another as AC Milan crushed Salzburg 4-0 on Wednesday to reach the Champions League knockout stages for the first time since 2013-14.

Needing to avoid defeat in their final Group E match to reach the last 16 against an Austrian side gunning for the win that would take them through, Giroud settled any nerves around the San Siro with an early header into the bottom corner.