AC Milan claimed a massive victory in the iconic Derby della Madonnina, defeating city rivals Inter Milan 1–0 and cutting the gap to the Serie A leaders to seven points. The decisive moment came courtesy of Pervis Estupiñán, whose strike not only settled the derby but also marked the Ecuadorian defender’s first goal in the famous red-and-black shirt.

Inter Milan arrived at the San Siro dealing with significant problems in attack. Marcus Thuram missed the clash due to illness, while captain Lautaro Martínez was only fit enough for a place on the bench after a recent injury setback. The absences clearly affected the Nerazzurri’s cutting edge in front of goal.

The decisive moment arrived in the first half. A slick move saw Youssouf Fofana combine brilliantly with Rafael Leão, releasing Pervis Estupiñán down the flank. The Ecuadorian drove into the box and, from a tight angle, fired past Yann Sommer to send the Rossoneri faithful into raptures.

AC Milan nearly doubled their advantage before the break when Alexis Saelemaekers found space in the area, but Federico Dimarco produced a crucial intervention to block the Belgian’s attempt.

After the interval, Inter Milan pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Chances fell to Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Federico Dimarco, yet neither could find the finishing touch as Milan’s defence held firm.

The final minutes were filled with tension. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan produced a vital save to deny Denzel Dumfries, preserving the Rossoneri lead. Moments later, Inter appealed for a penalty after the ball appeared to strike the hand of Samuele Ricci, but the referee waved play on, allowing AC Milan to see out a hard-fought derby victory.

2025-26, Italy - Serie A

AC Milan - Inter 1:0 (1:0)
Goals: Estupiñán, 35 (1:0)

AC Milan: Maignan; Estupiñán; De Winter K.; Tomori; Pavlović S.; Fofana Y. (Ricci S., 73); Rabiot; Modric; Saelemaekers; Pulisic (Nkunku, 84); Rafael Leão (Fuellkrug, 73)
Substitution: Ricci S. (from 73); Fuellkrug (from 73); Nkunku (from 84)
Bench: Terracciano; Torriani; Athekame; Odogu; Bartesaghi; Jashari A.
Yellow Cards: Rabiot 81; Modric 89

Inter: Sommer; Akanji; Bisseck (Diouf A., 80); Dimarco; Bastoni (Carlos Augusto, 68); Mkhitaryan (Sucic P., 59); Zielinski P.; Barella (Frattesi, 68); Luis Henrique T.L. (Dumfries, 59); Bonny; Pio Esposito
Substitution: Dumfries (from 59); Sucic P. (from 59); Carlos Augusto (from 68); Frattesi (from 68); Diouf A. (from 80)
Bench: Di Gennaro; Martínez J-p; de Vrij; Acerbi; Darmian; Çalhanoğlu; Martínez L.; Lavelli
Yellow Cards: Bastoni 65; Dumfries 69