Liverpool Grind Out Sweet Victory at San Siro: Szoboszlai’s 88th-Minute Penalty Downs Inter Milan
On a dramatic Champions League night at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Liverpool proved their mental resilience once again, edging Inter Milan 1-0 on December 9, 2025. A late penalty converted by Dominik Szoboszlai in the 88th minute sealed three priceless points, lifting the Reds to eighth place in the league phase standings and ending a recent dip in form.
Under Arne Slot’s management, Liverpool arrived in Milan carrying the weight of an internal controversy surrounding Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian king, who had scored five goals from just 18 shots in the previous round against Eintracht Frankfurt, was sensationally omitted from the matchday squad following a reported fallout with the board. It was a huge blow to a forward line that had managed only two goals from 44 attempts across their last two Champions League games. Yet the team from Merseyside responded with unity, high pressing, and rock-solid defending — “No Salah, no problem,” as Sky Sports commentator Vinny O’Connor put it.First Half: Chess Match and Missed ChancesThe game began cautiously, both sides probing in the chilly 4°C Milan air. Inter Milan, unbeaten in their previous 18 home Champions League matches since 2022 (W15 D3), enjoyed 50% possession and threatened through the orchestration of Hakan Çalhanoğlu — the competition’s leader in progressive passes into the final third (35). Lautaro Martínez, San Siro’s 2025 assassin with eight goals in five Champions League home games this year, came closest in the 39th minute, only to be denied by a stunning Alisson Becker save.
Liverpool were far from overawed. They countered quickly, led by Dominik Szoboszlai — the midfielder topping all midfielders in open-play sequences ending in a shot (37). In the 31st minute, Ibrahima Konaté thought he had opened the scoring with a header from Andy Robertson’s cross, but a lengthy VAR review ruled it out for a controversial offside. The first half ended goalless, with balanced stats: Inter 9 shots (2 on target), Liverpool 12 shots (5 on target).88th Minute: The Decisive Moment and Szoboszlai MagicThe second half saw Inter raise the intensity, with coach Cristian Chivu introducing Hugo Ekitiké to sharpen the attack. Danger arrived in waves at the 57th, 68th, and 73rd minutes, but Liverpool’s backline — marshalled by Joe Gomez and Konaté — stood firm. At the other end, Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz (handed the creative reins in Salah’s absence) produced flashes of brilliance, despite Liverpool posting a higher xG of 1.47 compared to Inter’s 0.43.The turning point came in the 88th minute. Wirtz was dragged down by Alessandro Bastoni inside the box — a clear shirt-pull confirmed by VAR. German referee Felix Zwayer pointed to the spot. Up stepped Szoboszlai, cool as ice, and hammered the penalty high into the top corner, beating Yann Sommer even though the Swiss keeper dived the right way. It wasn’t “luck” as some Inter voices claimed; it was reward for Liverpool’s tenacity. The Reds have now won five of their last six away games against Italian opposition in Europe, including a 3-1 victory at this very stadium against AC Milan last season.Reactions and the Meaning of the WinWhen the final whistle blew, Arne Slot embraced his players, calling it “a victory of team spirit.” “We played like a family tonight, and Dominik showed the growth of this group,” Slot told BBC Sport. Szoboszlai, the match-winner, remained humble: “This is the most important penalty I’ve ever taken. I dedicate it to everyone — including Mo.”
On the Inter side, disappointment was clear but not despair. They remain level on points with Liverpool (12) but trail on goal difference. Lautaro Martínez admitted: “We deserved a goal, but that’s football.” For the Nerazzurri, it ended a three-year unbeaten home record in the Champions League proper.
For Liverpool, the result is a lifeline. After winning just two of their previous eight matches across all competitions, they are now unbeaten in four and need only a handful more points to secure a knockout-round spot. It serves as a reminder that in the Champions League, heart can overturn any script.
Under Arne Slot’s management, Liverpool arrived in Milan carrying the weight of an internal controversy surrounding Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian king, who had scored five goals from just 18 shots in the previous round against Eintracht Frankfurt, was sensationally omitted from the matchday squad following a reported fallout with the board. It was a huge blow to a forward line that had managed only two goals from 44 attempts across their last two Champions League games. Yet the team from Merseyside responded with unity, high pressing, and rock-solid defending — “No Salah, no problem,” as Sky Sports commentator Vinny O’Connor put it.First Half: Chess Match and Missed ChancesThe game began cautiously, both sides probing in the chilly 4°C Milan air. Inter Milan, unbeaten in their previous 18 home Champions League matches since 2022 (W15 D3), enjoyed 50% possession and threatened through the orchestration of Hakan Çalhanoğlu — the competition’s leader in progressive passes into the final third (35). Lautaro Martínez, San Siro’s 2025 assassin with eight goals in five Champions League home games this year, came closest in the 39th minute, only to be denied by a stunning Alisson Becker save.
Liverpool were far from overawed. They countered quickly, led by Dominik Szoboszlai — the midfielder topping all midfielders in open-play sequences ending in a shot (37). In the 31st minute, Ibrahima Konaté thought he had opened the scoring with a header from Andy Robertson’s cross, but a lengthy VAR review ruled it out for a controversial offside. The first half ended goalless, with balanced stats: Inter 9 shots (2 on target), Liverpool 12 shots (5 on target).88th Minute: The Decisive Moment and Szoboszlai MagicThe second half saw Inter raise the intensity, with coach Cristian Chivu introducing Hugo Ekitiké to sharpen the attack. Danger arrived in waves at the 57th, 68th, and 73rd minutes, but Liverpool’s backline — marshalled by Joe Gomez and Konaté — stood firm. At the other end, Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz (handed the creative reins in Salah’s absence) produced flashes of brilliance, despite Liverpool posting a higher xG of 1.47 compared to Inter’s 0.43.The turning point came in the 88th minute. Wirtz was dragged down by Alessandro Bastoni inside the box — a clear shirt-pull confirmed by VAR. German referee Felix Zwayer pointed to the spot. Up stepped Szoboszlai, cool as ice, and hammered the penalty high into the top corner, beating Yann Sommer even though the Swiss keeper dived the right way. It wasn’t “luck” as some Inter voices claimed; it was reward for Liverpool’s tenacity. The Reds have now won five of their last six away games against Italian opposition in Europe, including a 3-1 victory at this very stadium against AC Milan last season.Reactions and the Meaning of the WinWhen the final whistle blew, Arne Slot embraced his players, calling it “a victory of team spirit.” “We played like a family tonight, and Dominik showed the growth of this group,” Slot told BBC Sport. Szoboszlai, the match-winner, remained humble: “This is the most important penalty I’ve ever taken. I dedicate it to everyone — including Mo.”
On the Inter side, disappointment was clear but not despair. They remain level on points with Liverpool (12) but trail on goal difference. Lautaro Martínez admitted: “We deserved a goal, but that’s football.” For the Nerazzurri, it ended a three-year unbeaten home record in the Champions League proper.
For Liverpool, the result is a lifeline. After winning just two of their previous eight matches across all competitions, they are now unbeaten in four and need only a handful more points to secure a knockout-round spot. It serves as a reminder that in the Champions League, heart can overturn any script.
Match Statistics:
Statistic | Inter Milan | Liverpool |
|---|---|---|
Possession (%) | 50 | 50 |
Total Shots | 9 | 12 |
Shots on Target | 2 | 5 |
Yellow Cards | 3 | 2 |
Corners | 6 | 3 |
Saves | 4 | 2 |
