AC Milan Beats Inter Milan 1-0 as Pulisic Goal and Maignan Save Seal Derby Dominance
Christian Pulisic’s 54th-minute tap-in and Mike Maignan’s stunning penalty save turned the Derby della Madonnina into a defining moment of the 2025/2026 Serie A season. On Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza — better known as San Siro — AC Milan edged out archrivals Inter Milan 1-0, extending their unbeaten streak in the derby to six straight matches. The win wasn’t just about points; it was a statement. After months of near-misses and stalemates, Milan finally broke through with precision, grit, and a goalkeeper who refused to yield.
The Goal That Changed Everything
It wasn’t a moment of genius. It was a moment of patience. Alexis Saelemaekers drove a low shot from the edge of the box in the 54th minute. Inter’s goalkeeper Yann Sommer parried it — but only just. The rebound bounced straight to Pulisic, who had drifted into space like a predator waiting for the right moment. No fancy move. No spin. Just a simple, clinical finish into an empty net. The crowd fell silent. Then erupted. For Milan fans, it was sweet relief. For Inter, it was a gut punch.Maignan’s Moment of Destiny
If Pulisic delivered the dagger, Maignan was the shield. In the 73rd minute, after Strahinja Pavlovic tripped Marcus Thuram inside the box, VAR confirmed a penalty. Hakan Çalhanoğlu stepped up, calm as ever, aiming for the bottom right. Maignan didn’t guess — he read. He dove low, fingertips grazing the ball, pushing it onto the post. The rebound bounced harmlessly away. The San Siro stands exploded. Fans chanted his name like a war cry. Çalhanoğlu, usually so reliable from the spot, looked stunned. "That save," said AC Milan’s post-match analysis, "was worth three points on its own."Inter’s Frustration Mounts
Inter came out firing. Marcus Thuram forced a brilliant save from Maignan in the third minute. Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s curling corner found Francesco Acerbi, whose header cracked off the post. Lautaro Martínez’s volley — a thing of beauty — was tipped onto the crossbar by Maignan’s outstretched arm. Alessandro Bastoni, Inter’s Italy center-back, missed a clear chance from six yards, scuffing his shot wide. Even their late pressure — Manuel Akanji’s near-miss in the 81st, Andy Diouf’s blocked strike in the 88th, Thuram’s glaring miss in the 89th — all ended in frustration. "They had no chances apart from the goal," Bastoni told SempreInter.com after the match. But the truth? They had chances. They just couldn’t finish.
A Historic Derby Run
This wasn’t just another win. It was the sixth consecutive derby without defeat for AC Milan — a streak that began with a 2-1 win in September 2024 and includes a 3-2 triumph in the 2025 Supercoppa Italiana final and a 3-0 Coppa Italia rout in April. The last time Inter won a derby? October 2023. Since then, Milan have outscored them 11-4 in six meetings. The psychological edge has shifted. The balance of power? It’s tilted. "We’re not just competing," said Massimiliano Allegri, per Detik.com. "We’re building something here. Tight marking. Discipline. Belief."Standings Shift and Champions League Dreams
The result sent AC Milan to second place with 25 points — level with SSC Napoli — and just two points behind league leaders AS Roma, who beat Cremonese 3-1 on the same day. Inter Milan slipped to fourth with 24 points. The gap to third? A single point. The Champions League race is alive, and Milan’s derby dominance has given them breathing room. "This win," said their official analysis, "isn’t just about the table. It’s about daring to dream of something bigger."
What’s Next?
AC Milan face SS Lazio at San Siro on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 20:45 CET. Inter, meanwhile, host Fiorentina on the same day. For Milan, it’s about momentum. For Inter, it’s about damage control. The derby wasn’t just a match — it was a turning point.The Roots of the Rivalry
The Derby della Madonnina began on October 18, 1908, when AC Milan beat Inter 2-1 in their first official clash. Since 1947, both clubs have shared the same home — the iconic San Siro, built in 1926 and renovated for the 1990 World Cup. The rivalry isn’t just about football. It’s about identity: red and black versus blue and black, tradition versus ambition, the old guard versus the new. Sunday’s match? It felt like history repeating — but this time, Milan were writing the next chapter.Frequently Asked Questions
How does this affect AC Milan’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League?
With 25 points, AC Milan are now firmly in the top two, just two points behind AS Roma. Their recent derby dominance gives them a psychological and points advantage over Inter and Napoli. With only four matches left before the winter break, winning the next three — especially against Lazio — could put them in control of their own destiny for a top-four finish.
Why is Mike Maignan’s penalty save considered so significant?
Maignan saved 9 of 10 penalties faced this season — but this one came against Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Inter’s most reliable taker, in a derby with everything on the line. His read, not his reflex, made the difference. It wasn’t just a save; it broke Inter’s spirit and shifted momentum permanently. No other goalkeeper in Serie A has made a bigger penalty save this season under pressure.
What’s the history behind AC Milan’s recent dominance over Inter?
Since October 2023, AC Milan have won four and drawn two of their last six meetings with Inter. They’ve outscored them 11-4, including a 3-0 Coppa Italia win and a 3-2 Supercoppa final victory. Inter haven’t beaten them in over two years. The shift began with Allegri’s tactical discipline and the emergence of Pulisic as a clinical finisher — something Inter’s defense hasn’t been able to counter.
Did the VAR decision on the penalty cause controversy?
There was minor confusion over timing — some outlets reported the foul at the 69th minute, others at the 73rd — but the decision itself was clear. Strahinja Pavlovic clearly pulled Marcus Thuram’s shirt as he drove into the box. Replays showed no doubt. Inter’s frustration came not from the call, but from the fact that their best chances had already been wasted before the penalty was awarded.
How does this result impact the Serie A title race?
AS Roma still lead with 27 points, but Milan’s win keeps them in striking distance. Napoli are level with Milan, but their next three fixtures are tougher. Inter, now four points behind Roma and with only one win in their last five games, are slipping out of contention. The title race is narrowing — and Milan’s derby win has given them a crucial psychological and points buffer.
Why is the San Siro stadium so important to this rivalry?
Since 1947, both clubs have shared the same home — a rarity in world football. The stadium, built in 1926 and renovated for the 1990 World Cup, has hosted over 150 derbies. The noise, the tension, the shared history — it’s not just a venue. It’s a battleground where legends are made and legacies are tested. Winning here, especially against your biggest rival, means more than any trophy.