AC Milan delivered a sensational and memorable performance at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu, stunning the home crowd by defeating Real Madrid with an impressive 3-1 victory in the Champions League. This remarkable result has bolstered Milan's standing in the competition, demonstrating their resilience and skill against one of Europe’s most formidable teams.
The victory was secured through goals from Malick Thiaw, Alvaro Morata, and Tijjani Reijnders, each contributing to Milan’s hard-fought win and underscoring the team’s offensive prowess. This critical success was vital for Milan, whose players were determined to make a statement on the European stage.
Despite recent challenges and struggles in form, AC Milan appeared revitalized, largely due to the return of star player Rafael Leao, who played an influential role throughout the match. His partnership with Reijnders added a dynamic spark that significantly enhanced Milan's offensive play.
The game’s opening goal came when Malick Thiaw rose high to meet a well-placed Christian Pulisic corner, breaking the deadlock with a powerful header that set the tone for Milan’s bold approach early in the game.
Real Madrid responded quickly, leveling the score when Vinicius Junior calmly converted a penalty, awarded following an error by Theo Hernandez, bringing a momentary setback for Milan.
However, Milan soon reasserted their dominance, with Pulisic again at the center of the action as he set up Leao, whose powerful shot led to a fortunate rebound that Alvaro Morata seized, restoring the Rossoneri's lead with a well-taken goal.
As Real Madrid pushed forward in search of an equalizer, their star forward Kylian Mbappé made several attempts to break through Milan's defense. However, Milan’s goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, produced a series of impressive saves, preserving Milan's advantage and demonstrating his composure under pressure.
Later in the game, Reijnders capped off Milan’s performance by converting a precise assist from Leao, driving the ball into the net to secure a third goal with a superb finish, further extending Milan’s lead and sealing their victory.
Real Madrid mounted a late challenge to stage a comeback, with Antonio Rudiger's close-range shot giving the hosts a glimmer of hope. However, VAR controversially ruled it out for offside on Rodrygo, sealing Milan’s 3-1 triumph and dealing Real a setback in front of their fans.