Tammy Abraham’s dramatic stoppage-time goal capped a remarkable comeback for AC Milan as they defeated Inter Milan 3-2 to win the Italian Super Cup in Riyadh on Monday.
After trailing by two goals early in the match, Milan fought back valiantly to claim victory and deny Inter a record fourth consecutive Super Cup trophy.
Christian Pulisic was instrumental in the win, scoring the equalizer and delivering the decisive assist for Abraham’s winner.
The victory not only handed new manager Serge Conceicao’s first trophy in just his second game in charge but also brought Milan level with Inter on eight Super Cup titles.
“We played with confidence, courage, and hunger,” said Abraham after the match. “We’re a strong team.”
Inter’s Early Domination
The match started with fireworks at the King Saud University Stadium, where a dazzling light show set the stage for the Milan derby. But it was Inter who lit up the scoreboard first, striking late in the first half through Lautaro Martínez.
Mehdi Taremi set up Martínez with a precise pass across the box, and the Argentine forward used quick footwork to beat Malick Thiaw before firing a low shot through Theo Hernández’s legs.
The ball zipped past Mike Maignan at the near post, giving Inter a 1-0 lead.
Just two minutes into the second half, Inter doubled their advantage. Stefan de Vrij’s long ball over the top found Taremi, who controlled it brilliantly before curling a shot into the bottom corner.
At 2-0, Inter looked firmly in control and on course for another Super Cup triumph.
Milan’s Fightback
AC Milan responded by bringing on Rafael Leão, who immediately made an impact.
The Portuguese forward won a free kick just outside the box, and Theo Hernández curled the ball low around the wall to sneak it inside the post, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Milan’s resurgence gained momentum as they pushed for an equalizer.
Tijjani Reijnders had a shot blocked by Alessandro Bastoni’s face, and Álvaro Morata came close with a towering header that forced a stunning save from Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
Inter had a chance to restore their two-goal cushion when Carlos Augusto’s close-range header struck the post and rebounded into Maignan’s arms. But Milan’s persistence paid off with 10 minutes remaining.
Christian Pulisic, surrounded by three Inter defenders, controlled a cross from Hernández with poise and steered a clinical shot into the far corner to level the game at 2-2.
With no extra time to be played, many expected the match to be decided by penalties.
However, Milan continued to press for a winner. In the dying moments, Rafael Leão pulled the ball back across the face of goal, and Tammy Abraham was perfectly positioned to tap it in from close range, completing the comeback and breaking Inter’s hearts.
Post-Match Reactions
Conceicao, who took over as Milan manager just last week following the sacking of Paulo Fonseca, celebrated wildly with his players as Inter’s team slumped to the ground in disbelief.
“It’s also our fault that Fonseca was fired,” admitted Theo Hernández, who had a contentious relationship with the former coach.
“We didn’t have much time to work together [with Conceicao], but it’s gone well in that short span.”
The win not only denied Inter a fourth consecutive Super Cup title but also solidified Milan’s position as one of Italy’s elite teams under Conceicao’s leadership.
First two games as AC Milan head coach, two wins against Juventus and Inter. And winning the Super Cup! Massive impact by Sérgio Conceição
