Reijnders’ Double Strike Powers AC Milan to Crucial Win Over Club Brugge

AC Milan secured a vital 3-1 win against Club Brugge, thanks to a stellar second-half performance from Tijjani Reijnders, who netted two well-executed goals. Milan, coming off losses to Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen, started cautiously as Club Brugge dominated early exchanges. A fine save from Mike Maignan denied Christos Tzolis from giving the Belgians an early lead.

However, Milan broke the deadlock with a surprise goal when Christian Pulisic’s inswinging corner flew directly into the net, catching the Brugge defense off guard. The breakthrough was critical for Milan, who needed three points to keep their campaign alive after a series of disappointing results.

Brugge’s fortunes took a significant hit when Raphael Onyedika was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Reijnders, following a review from the video assistant referee (VAR). Despite being a man down, the Belgian side showed remarkable resilience. They found an equalizer through 19-year-old substitute Kyriani Sabbe, whose well-timed strike finished off a brilliant team move. Sabbe’s goal marked him as one of the youngest players to score against Milan in the history of the Champions League.

Milan’s manager Paulo Fonseca faced boos from the home fans when he substituted Rafael Leao, but the decision proved effective almost immediately. Leao’s replacement, Noah Okafor, made an instant impact. Okafor’s pace and skill were pivotal in setting up Milan’s second goal, as he burst down the left wing and delivered a perfect cutback for Reijnders, who slotted the ball home with precision.

Milan continued to push their advantage, and Reijnders struck again, this time finishing off a cross from another substitute, Samuel Chukwueze. The two substitutes combined beautifully to seal the victory, displaying Milan’s depth and attacking versatility.

In the closing moments of the match, Milan made history by bringing on 16-year-old Francesco Camarda, who became the youngest Italian to ever play in the Champions League. His introduction added a feel-good moment to a vital night for Milan as they look to regain momentum in their European campaign.

Milan’s victory not only keeps their Champions League hopes alive but also demonstrates their ability to bounce back from adversity, with Reijnders emerging as the star of the night. Despite Club Brugge’s early promise, Milan’s tactical adjustments and clinical finishing were too much for the Belgian side to handle.