Christian Pulisic didn’t just score a goal—he reignited AC Milan’s title hopes with a single, perfectly timed finish in the heart of the Derby della Madonnina. On Sunday, November 23, 2025, the 26-year-old U.S. international netted the only goal of the match in the 54th minute at San Siro Stadium, sending 75,000 fans into delirium and leaving Inter Milan stunned. It wasn’t just any goal. It was his first since returning from injury, his second in two derbies against Inter, and the kind of moment that turns seasons around. Behind him, Mike Maignan, the 29-year-old French goalkeeper, turned in a performance for the ages—saving a 70th-minute penalty from Hakan Çalhanoğlu and making at least seven clean stops on target, according to official stats. The final whistle blew at 6:30 PM UTC, and the scoreboard read AC Milan 1, Inter Milan 0.
The Goal That Changed Everything
It came from chaos. Youssouf Fofana, the French midfielder, pounced on a lazy pass from Çalhanoğlu in midfield, turned, and fired a low cross into the box. Alexis Saelemaekers’s shot was blocked by Yann Sommer, Inter’s goalkeeper, but the rebound bounced straight to Pulisic, who didn’t hesitate. One touch. One finish. The ball slipped between Sommer’s legs and into the net. "100%. I just scored an easy goal," Pulisic said afterward, shrugging like it was nothing. But in a derby where every inch matters, it was everything. He had returned from injury just seven days earlier in a 2-2 draw at Parma, coming on in the 70th minute and nearly winning it. This time, he did.
Maignan’s Masterclass
Inter had 63% possession. They hit the woodwork twice—first when Çalhanoğlu’s curling free kick clanged off the crossbar in the 39th minute, then when Lautaro Martínez’s thunderous strike rebounded off the post after Maignan got a hand to it. They had 18 shots, six on target. AC Milan had eight shots, three on target. But only one mattered. And Maignan made sure of it. His penalty save in the 70th minute was the defining moment. The foul? A clumsy step on French forward Marcus Thuram by Serbian defender Strahinja Pavlovic. The referee, Daniele Orsato from Schio, Italy, pointed to the spot. Çalhanoğlu stepped up. Maignan guessed right, diving low to his left. The ball hit his gloves and bounced clear. The stadium exploded. "He saved us maybe ten times," Pulisic said. "I just did my job. He’s the reason we’re winning." Maignan’s 100% save rate on shots on target was the quietest stat of the night—and the most telling.
The Rivalry That Never Sleeps
The Derby della Madonnina has been played since 1908, when AC Milan broke away from Inter’s founding group. It’s more than a match—it’s identity, history, and pride. Sunday’s crowd of 75,000 at San Siro Stadium was a living museum of scarves, chants, and fury. Inter’s manager, Simone Inzaghi, made a tactical switch in the 61st minute, bringing on Kristjan Asllani for Çalhanoğlu. It didn’t help. Inter’s dominance meant nothing. Their control didn’t translate to goals. AC Milan, meanwhile, played with the desperation of a team that had lost two of its last three league games—against Spezia and Parma—and needed this win to stay relevant.
Standings Shift and the Road Ahead
Before kick-off, Inter could’ve tied Roma at the top. After the final whistle, they stayed in fourth with 24 points. AC Milan climbed to 25, level with SSC Napoli. AS Roma remained alone at the summit with 27. The gap isn’t huge—but momentum is. AC Milan hadn’t won a derby since last season. Now they’ve won two in a row. "We’re not done," said captain Theo Hernández in the tunnel. "This is just the start." For Inter, it’s a bitter pill. Two straight derby losses. Two missed chances to leapfrog Roma. And now, a 20-day international break to digest it.
What’s Next?
With the November 25–December 1 international window closing, AC Milan will return to Serie A action on December 2 against Genoa, needing to keep pace with Roma and Napoli. Inter, meanwhile, hosts Udinese on the same day, under pressure to prove their title credentials aren’t slipping. Pulisic, now with five goals this season, is back to his best. Maignan, with 11 clean sheets in 15 appearances, is arguably the league’s most reliable keeper. And the derby? It’s still the most unpredictable, emotional, and decisive fixture in Italian football. One goal. One save. One night that changed everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Christian Pulisic’s goal impact AC Milan’s title chances?
Pulisic’s goal lifted AC Milan to 25 points, tying them with Napoli and pulling them within two of league leaders AS Roma. After losing two of their last three matches, the win halted a dangerous slump and restored belief in their title challenge. With only three points separating the top four teams, every derby win becomes a potential season-defining moment.
Why was Mike Maignan named player of the match despite only one goal conceded?
Maignan made seven saves on target—100% efficiency—and denied Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s penalty under immense pressure. Inter had 18 shots, six on target, and hit the woodwork twice. His reflexes and composure turned what should’ve been a 2-1 or 3-1 Inter win into a 1-0 victory. In a match defined by possession, he was the decisive factor.
What does this result mean for Inter Milan’s season?
Inter’s second straight derby loss leaves them four points behind Roma and two behind AC Milan and Napoli. With only three wins in their last six matches, their title hopes are slipping. Manager Simone Inzaghi now faces scrutiny over tactics and squad depth, especially with key players like Lautaro Martínez and Çalhanoğlu failing to deliver in crunch moments.
Has Pulisic ever scored in back-to-back derbies before?
Yes. Pulisic scored in AC Milan’s 2-1 win over Inter in April 2024, and now again in November 2025. He’s only the third American player to score in consecutive derbies, and the first since 2010. His return from injury has been flawless—two appearances, two goals, one assist. He’s becoming the clutch performer Milan hoped for when they signed him in 2020.
Why did Inter dominate possession but lose?
Inter controlled the ball but lacked penetration. Their final third passing accuracy dropped to 68%, and they failed to create clear chances beyond long-range efforts. AC Milan’s compact 4-2-3-1 shape, led by Fofana’s midfield interception, stifled Inter’s rhythm. Sometimes, possession doesn’t equal progress—and Sunday proved it.
What’s the significance of the San Siro Stadium in this rivalry?
San Siro is the only stadium in the world shared by two top-tier rivals. With a 75,923 capacity, it’s where legends are made—and where hearts break. AC Milan have won 13 of the last 20 derbies here, and the atmosphere, fueled by 75,000 fans in red-and-black, often tips the balance. This match was no exception: the noise, the tension, the history—it all mattered.
