AC Milan claims Italian Super Cup title

Tammy Abraham netted a dramatic late winner as AC Milan staged a thrilling comeback to defeat defending champions Inter Milan 3-2 and secure the Italian Super Cup in Riyadh on Monday. Inter appeared poised to clinch their fourth consecutive Super Cup title after Lautaro Martinez and Mehdi Taremi put them 2-0 up, with goals coming on either side of the break. Martinez opened the scoring with a powerful strike, while Taremi doubled Inter's advantage early in the second half, leaving the defending champions in control of the match.

However, AC Milan showed remarkable resilience, mirroring their semi-final comeback against Juventus, where they triumphed 2-1 after being behind. Milan's response after the break was electric, and they began to assert dominance. Their first goal came from an excellent header, which reduced the deficit and breathed new life into the game. As the match progressed, Milan continued to press forward, and with minutes remaining, Abraham seized his chance, firing in the decisive goal to complete the turnaround. Milan's 3-2 win in Riyadh not only denied Inter their fourth consecutive Super Cup but also crowned them champions in one of the most dramatic final performances in recent memory. Abraham’s late strike ensured a memorable victory for Milan, capping off a remarkable turnaround that left fans in raptures.

Inter Milan's woes were compounded when they lost Hakan Calhanoglu to a muscular injury just after the half-hour mark. The Turkish midfielder was replaced by Kristjan Asllani, adding to the frustrations of the reigning Serie A champions. Despite being in control for much of the match, Inter's dominance was tested in the second half as AC Milan mounted a comeback. Theo Hernandez gave Milan hope just after the break, scoring from a well-executed free kick in the 52nd minute. With the momentum shifting in Milan's favor, the game grew even more intense. As the clock ticked down, US winger Christian Pulisic found the equalizer for Milan with just 10 minutes remaining, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.

In the dying moments of the match, English forward Tammy Abraham delivered the decisive blow, scoring in the 93rd minute to give Milan a stunning 3-2 victory. This win secured Milan their eighth Italian Super Cup title and their first since 2016, capping off a memorable comeback under new coach Sergio Conceicao. The triumph over Inter not only handed Milan the trophy but also marked a historic moment for the club, giving them a much-needed boost for the season ahead.

Inter Milan, three-time defending champions, had comfortably defeated Atalanta 2-0 in the Super Cup semi-finals on Thursday, continuing their dominance in the tournament for the third consecutive year in Saudi Arabia. However, their quest for a fourth consecutive title was halted by AC Milan in a thrilling final. Milan's 3-2 comeback win over Inter in the final not only secured them the Italian Super Cup but also marked their eighth title in the competition, leveling them with their city rivals, Inter, in terms of victories. This triumph also brought them closer to Juventus, who hold the record with nine Super Cup wins.