AC Milan staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Inter 3-2 in the Supercoppa Italiana final in Riyadh, with Tammy Abraham’s stoppage-time strike sealing the Rossoneri’s first triumph in the competition in eight years. Inter, who were chasing a record fourth consecutive title, looked set for victory after going 2-0 up, but Milan’s resilience turned the match on its head.
Match Recap: Inter 2-3 AC Milan
- First Half: Inter Take the Lead
Inter struck first in stoppage time of the opening half. Lautaro Martinez displayed brilliant footwork before finishing expertly past Mike Maignan to give Inter a 1-0 lead. - Second Half: Drama Unfolds
Within two minutes of the restart, Mehdi Taremi doubled Inter’s advantage, calmly converting Stefan de Vrij’s pass. At 2-0, Inter seemed poised for another Supercoppa victory. - Milan’s Fightback Begins
Theo Hernandez sparked Milan’s comeback with a sublime 20-yard free-kick just five minutes after Taremi’s goal. The Rossoneri kept pressing, and in the 80th minute, Hernandez turned provider, delivering a perfect cross for Christian Pulisic to slot home the equalizer. - Abraham’s Last-Gasp Heroics
Deep into stoppage time, Rafael Leão’s precise cross found Tammy Abraham, who calmly finished to complete the turnaround and secure the Supercoppa Italiana for Milan.
Player Ratings
AC Milan
- Mike Maignan (6/10): Couldn’t do much about either Inter goal but made a few key saves to keep Milan in the game.
- Theo Hernandez (9/10): A standout performer. Scored a stunning free-kick and provided the assist for Pulisic’s goal.
- Fikayo Tomori (7/10): Solid at the back, especially in the second half, as Milan tightened up defensively.
- Sandro Tonali (7/10): Controlled the midfield in the latter stages, helping Milan dictate the tempo during their comeback.
- Christian Pulisic (8/10): Scored the crucial equalizer and worked tirelessly on the wing. His 10th goal of the season underlines his importance to Milan.
- Rafael Leão (8/10): Provided the assist for Abraham’s winner and was a constant threat with his pace and creativity.
- Tammy Abraham (8.5/10): Came off the bench to score the decisive goal in stoppage time, cementing his status as a clutch player.
Inter Milan
- Andre Onana (6/10): Made some decent saves but could do little about Milan’s goals.
- Lautaro Martinez (8/10): Scored a brilliant opener and was a constant menace to Milan’s defense.
- Mehdi Taremi (7.5/10): Took his goal well but faded as Milan mounted their comeback.
- Stefan de Vrij (6.5/10): Provided the assist for Taremi’s goal but struggled to contain Milan’s attackers late in the game.
Key Stats and Milestones
- Milan’s Eighth Supercoppa Italiana: This victory moves Milan level with Inter in Supercoppa titles (8), with Juventus leading the way with nine.
- Conceição’s Historic Start: Sergio Conceição became the first Milan coach since Filippo Inzaghi in 2014 to win his first two matches in charge across all competitions.
- Pulisic’s Record: Christian Pulisic’s equalizer marked his 10th goal of the season, making him the first American to reach double figures in consecutive seasons in Europe’s top five leagues since Clint Dempsey (2010-13).
Conclusion
AC Milan’s thrilling comeback in Riyadh is a testament to their determination and quality. Tammy Abraham’s last-gasp strike not only secured the Supercoppa Italiana but also showcased the team’s fighting spirit under new coach Sergio Conceição. With this victory, Milan has momentum heading into the rest of the season, while Inter will need to regroup after letting a two-goal lead slip.
FAQs
1. Who scored the winning goal for AC Milan?
Tammy Abraham scored the decisive goal in stoppage time to secure Milan’s 3-2 victory.
2. How many Supercoppa Italiana titles has AC Milan won?
AC Milan has won the Supercoppa Italiana eight times, moving level with Inter.
3. Who provided the assist for Tammy Abraham’s goal?
Rafael Leão delivered the assist for Abraham’s stoppage-time winner.
4. What record did Christian Pulisic achieve?
Pulisic became the first American to score 10 or more goals in consecutive seasons in Europe’s top five leagues since Clint Dempsey.
5. When was the last time Milan won back-to-back matches against Inter?
Milan last achieved back-to-back wins against Inter between November 2010 and August 2011.
