UCL | Atletico Madrid 2-1 Inter: Controversial defeat at the Metropolitano

MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 26: Alessandro Bastoni of Internazionale reacts after his side conceded a goal, scored by Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid (not pictured) during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadio Metropolitano on November 26, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Inter fell to their first Champions League defeat of the season in very controversial circumstances, as Piotr Zielinski’s goal was not enough to prevent a 2-1 Atletico Madrid win in stoppages.

The Nerazzurri had a perfect record in the Champions League, but lost the Derby della Madonnina to AC Milan at the weekend. Denzel Dumfries, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Matteo Darmian were still out of action, with squad rotation bringing in Yann Bisseck, Piotr Zielinski and Ange-Yoan Bonny. Atleti had won both home games, but lost heavily away to Liverpool and Arsenal. Jan Oblak, Robin Le Normand and Marcos Llorente missed out, but Giuliano Simeone shook off a knock to start. The squad was packed with former Serie A players, including Giacomo Raspadori, Matteo Ruggeri, Juan Musso, Nahuel Molina and Nico Gonzalez.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Federico Dimarco forced an early save from ex-Atalanta goalkeeper Juan Musso at the near top corner, followed by a Lautaro Martinez effort.

Atleti had the ball in the net on 9 minutes with Julian Alvarez, but only after Alex Baena had controlled with his arm at the back post. The goal was initially disallowed by the referee, but overturned following the VAR review, presumably because Carlos Augusto had touched it again after the handball, starting a new move.

Julian Alvarez gives Atletico Madrid the lead after a lengthy VAR review that briefly paused their celebrations 📺@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/UyYjKN299J

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 26, 2025

Hancko drilled wide and Hakan Calhanoglu stung Musso’s gloves from distance, while Giuliano Simeone’s penalty appeals were rejected for the outlandish dive under pressure from Alessandro Bastoni.

Dimarco blasted just wide from the edge of the area on a Bisseck back-heel flick, but Nicolò Barella almost scored the goal of the season within 60 seconds of the restart.

Barella controlled a long Bastoni ball over the top after springing the offside trap, then his half-volley looped over Musso to bounce off the crossbar from a tricky angle.

Dimarco also forced a save when running onto the Lautaro Martinez slide-rule pass, and the pressure finally paid off with the equaliser.

Zielinski completed a give and go with Bonny down the left, sweeping into the far bottom corner off the inside of the right boot.

Piotr Zielinski gets on the end of a brilliant one-two to equalise for Inter 🙌@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/oFxi3oVfuP

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 26, 2025

Giuliano Simeone should’ve restored the Atletico Madrid advantage, only to balloon over at the back post from a Matteo Ruggeri cross.

Manuel Akanji needed some brave defending when charging down an Alex Baena scorcher with his face, while Alexander Sorloth volleyed over the bar.

Yann Sommer threw his body in the way of an Antoine Griezmann finish from close range after the pull-back from the by-line.

Nico Gonzalez had to sprint back and make a decisive defensive header to prevent Francesco Pio Esposito meeting the Dimarco cross.

Sommer didn’t palm a Marc Pubill strike away very well, but Griezmann failed to make the most of the loose ball.

Just as Inter thought they had earned a point, Atletico Madrid struck from a Griezmann corner, where Jose Maria Gimenez was allowed a powerful header from six yards.

Diego Simeone’s celebration says it all 👏

Jose Gimenez wins it at the death for Atletico Madrid!@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/iCdDKRQ2Fk

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 26, 2025

Atletico Madrid 2-1 Inter

Julian Alvarez 9 (A), Zielinski 54 (I), Gimenez 93 (A)

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68′

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79′