Szoboszlai’s Late Penalty Silences San Siro as Liverpool Steal the Headlines on a Dramatic Champions League Night

Liverpool produced a statement performance in Milan on Tuesday night, edging past Inter 1-0 at the San Siro thanks to a late Dominik Szoboszlai penalty in a match that will be remembered as much for its controversy as for its significance.

The backdrop to the fixture was unusually tense. Liverpool arrived in Italy carrying the fallout from Mohamed Salah’s explosive post-match comments at the weekend, with the Egyptian left out of the travelling squad altogether. Yet rather than fold under pressure, Arne Slot’s side delivered one of their most composed European displays of the season.

From the opening exchanges, it was Liverpool who looked sharper and more purposeful. Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister controlled long spells in midfield, while Inter were largely limited to speculative efforts and moments in transition. The Reds even thought they had taken the lead midway through the first half when Ibrahima Konate headed home from a set-piece, only for VAR to intervene and rule out the goal due to a handball by Hugo Ekitike in the build-up.

Inter’s best chance arrived just before the break when Lautaro Martinez met Alessandro Bastoni’s inviting cross with a fierce header, forcing Alisson into a superb reflex save. It was a rare moment of alarm for Liverpool, who went into half-time feeling they deserved more than a goalless scoreline.

As the second half wore on, the tension inside San Siro intensified. Inter pushed higher, yet Liverpool remained the more threatening side on the counter, with Sommer called into action to deny Jones and Gravenberch earlier in the contest. Then came the decisive moment in the 87th minute. Florian Wirtz went down theatrically under a tug from Bastoni inside the area, and after a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot.

Amid furious protests from the home side, Szoboszlai stepped up and showed ice-cold composure, sweeping his penalty beyond Sommer to spark wild celebrations among the travelling Liverpool fans. It was harsh on Inter, but Liverpool’s overall superiority was reflected in the underlying numbers, finishing with an xG of 1.47 compared to Inter’s 0.43.

The victory lifts Liverpool to eighth in the Champions League standings, level on points with Inter, and marks the Nerazzurri’s first home defeat in the competition in three years. For Slot, it was a desperately needed European boost ahead of a tricky Premier League return against Brighton.

Elsewhere on a dramatic Champions League night, Tottenham Hotspur kept their European campaign alive with a convincing 3-0 win over Slavia Prague in north London. An own goal from David Zima set Spurs on their way before second-half penalties from Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons sealed a comfortable victory. The result leaves Spurs ninth in the table, firmly in the hunt for a knockout place.

In Eindhoven, Atletico Madrid showed trademark resilience as they came from behind to beat PSV 3-2 in a breathless contest. Guus Til had given the Dutch side an early lead, but Julian Alvarez drew Atletico level before the break. A blistering start to the second half saw David Hancko and Alexander Sorloth put Diego Simeone’s men in control, and although Ricardo Pepi set up a nervous finale, Atletico held firm to claim a crucial away win.

Taken together, it was a night that underlined the fine margins that define Champions League football. For Liverpool, it was proof that even amid internal turmoil, belief and discipline can still deliver famous European results. For others, it was a reminder that at this level, moments of hesitation or controversy can prove decisive.