AC Milan pulled off a stunning 3-1 win over defending champions Real Madrid in an electrifying Champions League showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday. Goals from Malick Thiaw, Alvaro Morata, and Tijjani Reijnders secured a massive victory, positioning Milan as serious contenders in Group B.
Thiaw set the tone early, heading in a corner to put Milan ahead in the 12th minute. Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. briefly leveled the score with a penalty 11 minutes later. But just before halftime, Morata capitalized on a rebound to regain the lead for the visitors. In the second half, Reijnders sealed the deal with a powerful finish off Rafael Leao’s cross in a swift counterattack.
This upset leaves Real Madrid sitting in 17th place in the 36-team Champions League table with six points, just ahead of Milan on goal difference after four matches. The defeat also follows Real’s recent 4-0 loss to Barcelona, highlighting their struggles this season.
Real Madrid’s captain, Lucas Vazquez, voiced his frustration, saying, “Defending and attacking are team efforts. We must improve and prevent this from happening again.”
Milan’s victory adds to the pressure on Real Madrid, who haven’t lost back-to-back games across all competitions since 2021. With this emphatic win, Milan reignites their Champions League ambitions, while Real Madrid faces a critical moment to regroup and refocus.