Matteo Gabbia’s late header secured a dramatic 2-1 victory for AC Milan over fierce rivals Inter. The win ended Milan’s six-match losing streak in the famous fixture, while also relieving some of the pressure on manager Paulo Fonseca.
The game, held at the San Siro, was an intense and emotional affair from the first whistle, filled with drama, controversy, and unforgettable moments. Gabbia’s late strike not only gave AC Milan three crucial points but also reignited their season after a stuttering start.
Early Drama as Pulisic Strikes First
AC Milan came into the match desperately needing a positive result after a poor run of form that saw their hopes of contending for the Serie A title questioned. However, they made the perfect start when American international Christian Pulisic opened the scoring in the 12th minute.
Pulisic, who had been relatively quiet in recent matches, reminded everyone of his quality with a well-taken goal. After receiving a pass from Rafael Leão on the edge of the box, Pulisic expertly controlled the ball, evaded two defenders, and calmly slotted it past Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
Dimarco’s Historic Equalizer
Despite Milan’s early lead, Inter responded strongly and found themselves back in the game before the half-hour mark. Wing-back Federico Dimarco, known for his relentless energy and attacking threat, became the first Milan-born player to score in this iconic derby since the legendary Paolo Maldini in 1994.
Dimarco’s goal came after a well-worked move down the left flank. Inter’s build-up play allowed Dimarco to surge into the box, and he connected beautifully with a cross from Denzel Dumfries to volley home the equalizer. The goal was historic, but more importantly, it put Inter on level terms and shifted momentum in their favor.
Controversy Strikes as VAR Overturns Penalty Decision
The second half began with both teams battling fiercely for control, and it wasn’t long before controversy reared its head. Milan thought they had a golden opportunity to take the lead when the referee awarded them a penalty for what appeared to be a handball by Inter captain Lautaro Martinez. The decision sent shockwaves through the stadium as Inter players protested the call.
After a lengthy review by the video assistant referee (VAR), the penalty decision was overturned. Replays showed that the ball had, in fact, struck Martinez’s shoulder rather than his hand, and the match remained tied at 1-1. The overturned decision further fueled the intensity on the pitch, with both teams now pushing harder for the winning goal.
Missed Opportunities for Milan
As the clock ticked toward full time, both Milan and Inter had their chances to seal victory. AC Milan came agonizingly close to regaining the lead when Tammy Abraham, who came on as a second-half substitute, found himself through on goal following a beautiful pass from Tijjani Reijnders.
Abraham, who had been a standout performer in previous derbies, missed what seemed like a sure goal as he fired wide of Sommer’s post. The miss left Milan fans with their hearts in their mouths, wondering if their chance to end the derby curse had slipped away.
Gabbia’s Moment of Glory
With the match heading toward a 1-1 draw, AC Milan were awarded a free-kick in the 89th minute. Reijnders, who had been one of the game’s standout players, delivered a pinpoint ball into the box, and it was Matteo Gabbia who rose highest to meet it. His powerful header flew past Sommer and into the back of the net, sending the Milan faithful into rapturous celebrations.
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