Gimenez’s stoppage-time header ends Inter’s perfect champions league run

Atlético Madrid halted Inter Milan’s perfect Champions League record with a dramatic stoppage-time winner from José María Giménez, sealing a 2-1 victory in the Spanish capital, Sport360NG reports.

The Atletico captain rose highest in the 93rd minute to head in Antoine Griezmann’s corner, delivering a decisive blow to last season’s runners-up, who had won all four of their previous group matches.

Atletico Strike First After VAR Intervention

Despite Inter’s bright start, driven largely by Federico Dimarco’s early pressure on goalkeeper Juan Musso, the hosts took the lead midway through the first half.
Carlos Augusto’s attempted clearance cannoned off Alex Baena and fell kindly for Julián Álvarez, who finished clinically for his 10th goal in 14 Champions League appearances.

The referee initially ruled the goal out for handball, but VAR overturned the decision, awarding Atletico the opener. It was only the second time Inter had conceded in this season’s European campaign.

Inter Fight Back Strongly

Inter responded with intent. Dimarco curled narrowly over, while Hakan Çalhanoglu forced Musso into another important save as Cristian Chivu’s side pushed for an equaliser before halftime.

They continued on the front foot after the break. Nicolò Barella brought down a lofted pass inside the box and struck the crossbar, moments before Musso rushed out to deny Dimarco again.

Their persistence paid off in the 54th minute when Ange-Yoan Bonny played in Piotr Zielinski, and the Poland midfielder calmly finished to level the match.

Atletico Regain Control Late On

The momentum shifted in the final stages as Atletico pushed for a winner. Yann Sommer blocked Griezmann’s near-post effort and parried a long-range strike from Marc Pubill, but the pressure eventually told deep into added time.

From a late corner, Giménez rose above the Inter defence to power home the match-winning header, sending the Metropolitano into celebration.

Group Implications

The defeat leaves Inter in fourth place in a tightly contested group, level on 12 points with Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Atlético move up to 12th with nine points, keeping their qualification hopes alive heading into the final fixtures.

Upcoming Fixtures

• Atletico Madrid: host Real Oviedo in La Liga on Saturday, 29 November; visit Monaco in the Champions League on Tuesday, 9 December.
• Inter Milan: travel to Pisa in Serie A on Sunday, 30 November; face Liverpool at San Siro on Tuesday, 9 December in Champions League action.