By Our Man in Madrid
MADRID, SPAIN – The Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium once again proved to be a fortress of fire and fury as Atletico Madrid secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Italian giants Inter Milan in a pulsating Champions League encounter last night.
In a match that had everything—controversy, class, and a classic stoppage-time winner—Diego Simeone’s men dug deep, fuelled by the ferocious energy of their home support, to hand Inter their first loss of the competition.
The atmosphere in the massive Madrid arena, officially known as the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, was electric from the first whistle, transforming the stadium into a cauldron of red and white passion. This intense home-field advantage was clearly the 12th man that tipped the scales.
Atletico drew first blood early on through a controversial goal from Julian Alvarez (9’), initially disallowed for handball but awarded after a lengthy VAR review. The Metropolitan crowd’s roar following the reversal nearly lifted the roof off the impressive structure.
However, Inter, the reigning European runners-up, are no pushovers. They silenced the Madrid faithful early in the second half when Piotr Zielinski (54’) swept home a clinical first-time finish to level the score.
As the clock ticked down and extra time loomed, it was the sheer will of the crowd and a moment of brilliance that sealed the deal. In the 93rd minute, the Metropolitano erupted as defender Jose Maria Gimenez rose highest to head home a pinpoint corner from Antoine Griezmann.
The goal sent the stadium into pandemonium, capping an incredible night where the home atmosphere truly overpowered the flawless run of the Italian visitors. For Inter, the loss will sting, a rare blemish on their European campaign, but for Atletico, it’s yet another iconic Champions League night delivered in their intimidating home.
