Atletico Madrid ended Inter’s perfect Champions League start with a dramatic 93rd-minute winner from Jose Maria Gimenez after Alvarez’s early opener.
Atletico Madrid beat Inter Milan 2–1 at the Metropolitano after a dramatic stoppage-time winner from Jose Maria Gimenez. The match began at high speed, with both sides creating early chances. Inter pushed forward aggressively through Federico Dimarco, who went close twice in the opening minutes. Atletico defended well under pressure and waited for their moment.
Their opener arrived in the ninth minute. A loose clearance bounced off Alex Baena and fell into the path of Julian Alvarez, who guided the ball into the far corner. The referee initially ruled the goal out for handball, but VAR confirmed the attacker had not handled the ball. It was Alvarez’s tenth Champions League goal for Atletico in just 14 matches.
Inter produced a strong spell after conceding. Hakan Calhanoglu tested Juan Musso with a firm drive from outside the box. The visitors continued to threaten, with Dimarco and Nicolo Barella causing problems on the left. Atletico defended deep as Inter pressed for an equaliser.
The Spanish side created chances of their own. Alvarez forced a save from Yann Sommer with a strike from distance before half time. But Inter controlled long spells and entered the break believing they could turn the match around.
Inter equalised in the 54th minute through Piotr Zielinski. Substitute Ange-Yoan Bonny released him with a precise through ball and the midfielder slotted calmly into the bottom corner. The goal capped a fast and confident start to the half from the Italian side.
Atletico responded well. Antoine Griezmann came off the bench and immediately lifted the tempo. He forced Sommer into a sharp save at the near post. Moments later Marc Pubill struck from range but the Inter goalkeeper pushed it wide.
The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time. Griezmann curled in a corner and Gimenez rose above two defenders to power a header into the bottom corner. The stadium erupted as Atletico ended Inter’s perfect start to their European campaign.
Alvarez stood out for his hold-up play and movement, while Griezmann’s impact off the bench shifted the match. Dimarco was Inter’s most dangerous player and Zielinski was clinical with his finish. Inter created 1.36 xG to Atletico’s 0.99 and will feel they had chances to take more from the match.
Atletico return to La Liga action with a home match against Real Oviedo on Saturday. They then travel to face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on 9 December. Inter visit Pisa in Serie A on Sunday before hosting Liverpool in a key European fixture on 9 December.
