In a stunning display of football, AC Milan triumphed over Champions League holders Real Madrid with a 3-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday night. The match marked a significant moment for Milan, who showcased resilience and tactical prowess against one of the most formidable teams in European football.
AC Milan triumphed over Champions League holders Real Madrid with a 3-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday night; Courtesy Photo
The game began with an electric atmosphere as both teams sought an early advantage. Milan’s Malick Thiaw opened the scoring in the 12th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error from Madrid. The home side responded aggressively, but their efforts were thwarted by a disciplined Milan defence. In the 38th minute, Alvaro Morata doubled Milan’s lead with a well-placed header from a corner kick, leaving Madrid fans in disbelief.
Christian Pulisic, the American star, played a pivotal role in Milan’s attack, constantly threatening Madrid’s backline. His contributions were rewarded when Tijjani Reijnders scored the third goal just before halftime, making it 3-0 and sending shockwaves through the stadium.
Real Madrid, desperate to turn the tide, came out strong in the second half. They finally broke through in the 60th minute when Vinícius Júnior scored a stunning goal, igniting hope among their supporters. However, despite several attempts to equalize, including a missed penalty by Rodrygo late in the match, Madrid could not find another goal.
Milan’s victory was not just a significant upset; it also highlighted their resurgence in European football after years of rebuilding. Coach Stefano Pioli praised his team’s performance, emphasizing their focus and determination throughout the match.
Meanwhile, Liverpool continued their perfect run in the group stage with a convincing 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen. Luis Diaz was the star of the show, netting a second-half hat trick that showcased his clinical finishing ability. The Reds now sit atop their group with 12 points from four matches.
In other notable matches, Sporting Lisbon crushed Manchester City 4-1 at home. Viktor Gyokeres stole the spotlight with a hat trick that helped Sporting secure an impressive comeback victory after trailing early in the game. This result further complicates City’s path to qualification as they now have seven points from four matches.
Celtic also made headlines by defeating RB Leipzig 3-1 at home. Nicolas Kuehn scored twice to lead Celtic to victory, solidifying their position within striking distance of advancing to the knockout stages.
AS Monaco secured a narrow 1-0 win against Bologna thanks to Thilo Kehrer’s late goal. The victory keeps Monaco firmly in contention for progression from their group.
The results from this midweek round of fixtures have set up an exciting final phase of group play in the Champions League. Teams are now gearing up for crucial matches that will determine who advances to the knockout stages and who faces elimination.
As fans eagerly anticipate the next round of fixtures, this week’s matches have undoubtedly added to the drama and unpredictability that make the Champions League one of the most thrilling competitions in world football. With teams like AC Milan and Liverpool showing strong form, it will be fascinating to see how they perform as they aim for European glory this season.
