In a thrilling encounter at Riyadh’s King Fahd International Stadium on Monday, AC Milan clinched the Italian Super Cup with a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over arch-rivals Inter Milan. English forward Tammy Abraham emerged as the hero, netting a stoppage-time winner that secured the trophy for the Rossoneri.
Inter Milan appeared poised for a fourth consecutive Super Cup triumph after goals from Lautaro Martinez and Mehdi Taremi on either side of the break put them firmly in control. The defending champions dominated the early proceedings, leaving AC Milan facing a daunting two-goal deficit at halftime.
However, mirroring their resilient performance against Juventus in the semi-final, AC Milan returned revitalized after the interval. The momentum began to shift when Inter’s key midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu was forced off with a muscular injury just after the half-hour mark, bringing Kristjan Asllani into the fray.
The comeback ignited in the 52nd minute as Theo Hernandez delivered a sublime free-kick, breathing new life into Milan’s ambitions under new coach Sergio Conceicao. With ten minutes remaining, U.S. winger Christian Pulisic drew the sides level, setting up a tense finale.
Just as extra time loomed, Abraham seized the spotlight in the 93rd minute. His decisive goal not only completed the turnaround but also handed AC Milan their eighth Italian Super Cup title and first since 2016, drawing them level with Inter in Super Cup victories.
Inter, who had confidently dispatched Atalanta 2-0 in Thursday’s semi-final held in Saudi Arabia for the third consecutive year, were left to reflect on missed opportunities and the impact of Calhanoglu’s early departure. The defeat leaves them trailing Juventus, who hold a record nine Super Cup titles.
This exhilarating match in Riyadh showcased not only the enduring rivalry between Italy’s footballing giants but also the growing significance of Middle Eastern cities as hosts for major international sporting events.
Reference(s):
Late Abraham winner gives Milan Italian Super Cup win over Inter
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