Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – In a thrilling Derby della Madonnina at the Al-Awwal Park Stadium, Sergio Conceicao’s AC Milan staged an extraordinary comeback from a two-goal deficit to defeat Inter 3-2 in stoppage time, securing their first Supercoppa Italiana under the new coach’s leadership.
Inter appeared poised to continue their Supercoppa domination after Lautaro Martinez’s first-half strike and Mehdi Taremi’s swift second-half goal gave them a commanding 2-0 lead. However, a spirited Milan, led by substitute Rafael Leao, turned the tide in dramatic fashion.
First Half: Inter in Control
The Nerazzurri opened the scoring just before the half-time whistle. Lautaro Martinez, capitalizing on a quick throw-in by Federico Dimarco, drilled a low shot through Theo Hernandez’s legs, marking his fourth career goal in the Supercoppa Italiana and equaling Paulo Dybala’s record.
Inter doubled their advantage seconds into the second half when Taremi skillfully controlled a long ball and swept it into the bottom corner, leaving Milan stunned.
Milan’s Revival
Conceicao introduced Rafael Leao in the 50th minute, and the Portuguese star immediately sparked Milan’s resurgence. Just two minutes later, Theo Hernandez curled a free kick around the wall, catching Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer off guard and reducing the deficit.
Milan continued to press relentlessly. In the 80th minute, Leao orchestrated the equalizer, setting up Theo Hernandez for a precise assist to Christian Pulisic, who calmly slotted the ball into the far bottom corner.
Final Twist in Stoppage Time
As the game edged towards a draw, Milan struck once more in the dying moments. Leao received a through ball from Pulisic, sprinted down the flank, and delivered a perfect cross for Tammy Abraham, who tapped in the winning goal from close range in the 93rd minute.
Post-Match Reactions
Coach Sergio Conceicao praised his team’s resilience, saying, “This victory reflects the spirit and determination we want to embody. Coming back from 2-0 down against a team like Inter is a testament to our belief and teamwork.”
Second Half: A Game of Two Halves
Inter wasted no time after the restart, doubling their lead within a minute. Mehdi Taremi expertly controlled a long ball, using his first touch to set up a clinical finish into the near bottom corner. At 2-0, the Nerazzurri seemed destined to lift the trophy.
However, Rafael Leao’s introduction in the 50th minute sparked a Milan resurgence. The Portuguese star was fouled on the edge of the box, setting up a free kick that Theo Hernandez curled around the wall and past Yann Sommer, catching the goalkeeper off guard at the near post.
Leao’s pace and creativity continued to trouble Inter’s defense. He set up Tijjani Reijnders for a golden opportunity, but Alessandro Bastoni heroically blocked the shot. Moments later, Christian Pulisic and Alvaro Morata came close to equalizing, only for Sommer to make a desperate save and deny them.
Late Drama: Milan Seals the Comeback
Milan’s persistence paid off in the 80th minute. Leao once again found Theo Hernandez on the left flank, who delivered a precise cutback for Pulisic. The American calmly controlled the ball and slotted it into the far bottom corner, leveling the score at 2-2.
As the game edged toward extra time, Milan delivered the decisive blow in stoppage time. Leao latched onto a through ball from Pulisic, racing down the right flank before sending a low cross to substitute Tammy Abraham. The English striker tapped in from close range, completing the remarkable comeback and sealing a 3-2 victory.
Conceicao’s Triumph
The win marked a historic moment for Sergio Conceicao, who claimed his first trophy with Milan in only his second game in charge. The Rossoneri’s victory ended Inter’s recent dominance in the Supercoppa Italiana and reaffirmed Milan’s fighting spirit under their new coach.
Inter 2-3 Milan
Inter: Sommer; Bisseck, De Vrij (Darmian 85), Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella (Frattesi 85), Calhanoglu (Asllani 35), Mkhitaryan (Zielinski 65), Dimarco (Carlos Augusto 65); Taremi, Lautaro Martinez
Milan: Maignan; Emerson Royal (Calabria 87), Thiaw, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Musah (Loftus-Cheek 77), Fofana; Jimenez (Leao 50), Reijnders (Abraham 77), Pulisic; Morata
Referee: Sozza
This unforgettable clash will be remembered as one of the most dramatic Derby della Madonnina encounters, showcasing the unpredictability of football and the resilience of champions.
