Inter Milan’s perfect Champions League start crashed at the Metropolitano as a late José María Giménez header gave Atletico a 2‑1 win.
Atletico Madrid vs Inter Milan lived up to its billing on a chilly Wednesday night at the Metropolitano.
Inter came in unbeaten in Europe, fresh off a Derby della Madonnina loss to AC Milan, while Atleti were looking to keep their home‑ground advantage alive despite recent thrashings away to Liverpool and Arsenal.
The opening minutes were a blur of end‑to‑end action. Federico Dimarco forced an early save from ex‑Atalanta keeper Juan Musso, and Lautaro Martinez tested the Atleti defense.
The breakthrough came in the 9th minute when Julian Alvarez scored after a chaotic VAR check overturned an initial handball call against Alex Baena.
Inter refused to sit back. Hakan Calhanoglu’s long‑range effort rattled Musso’s gloves, and Dimarco’s curling strike narrowly missed the top corner.
Meanwhile, Giuliano Simeone’s penalty appeals were waved off as referee and VAR deemed his dive theatrical.
The second half burst into life instantly. Nicolò Barella’s brilliant half‑volley clipped the crossbar, and Dimarco again forced a save from Musso.
The equaliser, however, arrived in the 54th minute when Bonny’s clever pass set Zielinski free on the left, and the Polish midfielder slotted home with the inside of his right boot.
Atletico pushed for a swift response, but Giuliano Simeone’s header flew over, and Antoine Griezmann’s close‑range chance was denied by Yann Sommer. Inter’s counter‑attacking threat faded as the clock ticked, and the Wanda Metropolitano grew restless.
In the 93rd minute, Griezmann floated a corner into the box, and José María Giménez rose highest to plant a powerful header past Sommer, sealing a dramatic 2‑1 win.
The defeat drops Inter to their first European loss of the season and leaves them fourth in the group, still level on points with PSG, Bayern and Real Madrid but three behind Arsenal.
Atletico climb to 12th with nine points, keeping their slim knockout hopes alive. Inter will look to bounce back against Liverpool and Arsenal, while Atleti face PSV, Galatasaray and Bodo/Glimt in the remaining fixtures.
