By Okafor Joseph Afam
October 22, 2024

AC Milan secured their first points of this season’s Champions League with a 3-1 victory over Belgian champions Club Brugge on Tuesday. Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders shone in the second half, scoring twice to lift his side to victory.

The seven-time European champions, who had suffered two losses in their previous group stage games — a 1-0 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen and a 3-1 loss at home to Liverpool — desperately needed a win. Christian Pulisic opened the scoring in the 34th minute, finding the back of the net directly from a corner. Brugge’s troubles deepened when midfielder Raphael Onyedika was sent off for a reckless foul on Reijnders after a VAR check, reducing the visitors to 10 men just before halftime.

Despite being a man down, Club Brugge leveled the score after halftime, with Kyriani Sabbe slotting home a low drive into the far corner after being set up by fellow substitute Hugo Vetlesen. The equalizer seemed to rejuvenate Brugge briefly, but Milan capitalized on their numerical advantage.

Milan’s persistence paid off when Reijnders netted a cool finish following a neat assist from Noah Okafor. Moments later, he struck again, this time receiving a precise pass from Samuel Chukwueze to seal the win. It marked Reijnders’ first goals of the season.

Teen sensation Francesco Camarda thought he had added a fourth for Milan, but his header was ruled out for offside. Milan held firm to clinch the much-needed win, leaving Brugge ruing missed opportunities and the early dismissal of Onyedika.

AC Milan, eager to build on this win, will next face Real Madrid on November 5, while Club Brugge host Aston Villa on November 6.

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