Inter Women, l'esordio in Champions è da sogno: Bugeja piega l'Häcken 1-0 | OneFootball

A dream years in the making, a moment long awaited and a page of history that was ready to be written. There is nothing quite like a first time. Some had waited an entire career for this night; others experienced it near the start of theirs, with their whole journey still ahead. Inter are dreaming no longer. Their historic Champions League debut brought their first victory in Europe’s premier club competition.

It was an unforgettable start for Sassarini’s side, who beat Häcken 1-0 at the Brianteo in Monza through Bugeja’s early goal to claim their first three points of the 2026/27 League Phase. From the focus and determination visible during the Champions League anthem to the quality and discipline of the performance, followed by the emotion and unbridled joy at the final whistle, the Nerazzurre star shone brightly in the European sky. Inter’s Champions League journey could not have begun better.

THE MATCH Emotion, anticipation and dreams becoming reality: kick-off made it all real as Inter Women played their first match in the Champions League. The Nerazzurre were fully focused and immediately looked to take control. They moved the ball with purpose and won the game’s first corner (4’). Häcken cleared the initial delivery, but Sassarini’s side recycled possession and found Garcia between the lines. The Spaniard drove forward with confidence before laying the ball off to Bugeja, who, on the edge of the box and without hesitation, sent a precise left-footed strike into the bottom corner beyond Falk (5’). Bugeja pointed to the badge and raced over to embrace the entire bench after writing the opening line of a new chapter.

There was still a long way to go, however. Häcken responded quickly through captain Anvegård, whose effort was saved by Rúnarsdóttir (10’). The rest of the first half produced few openings, with Inter managing their lead and the Swedish side struggling to find a way through. The only major scare came when Tindell found Bodin on the right. Her low cross travelled across the area to the unmarked Selerud at the far post, but she fired over with the goal at her mercy (28’). Inter reasserted themselves towards the end of the half. Cambiaghi won a free-kick on the edge of the box, but Magull sent her effort over the bar (32’).

Inter began the second half as they had ended the first, attacking with confidence. Another corner brought the chance to double their lead. Magull delivered, Bartoli broke free and reached the ball first at the near post, but her header crashed against the bar. Sassarini’s side occupied the spaces intelligently and controlled both possession and the tempo of the game. Out of possession, they closed the passing lanes and reduced Häcken’s attacking threat to a minimum. The visitors were unable to trouble Rúnarsdóttir, with Inter’s alert back line shutting down every opening and playing through the press with composure. Inter pushed for a second late on but were again denied by the woodwork. Magull’s header struck the crossbar, just as Bartoli’s had, before Falk saved her follow-up. The Swedish goalkeeper also denied Glionna, but then raced off her line and brought down Raphino (89’). Following a VAR review, the referee showed Falk a red card. Inter saw out stoppage time with a numerical advantage and deservedly secured their historic first Champions League victory.

INTER 1-0 HÄCKEN

Goals: 5' Bugeja (I)

INTER (4-4-2): 1 Rúnarsdóttir, 15 Garcia, 5 Andrés, 24 Milinković, 33 Bartoli; 17 Payne (11 Le Bihan 72'), 6 Santi (8 Vilhjálmsdóttir 56'), 10 Magull, 22 Schough (18 Glionna 72'); 36 Cambiaghi (26 Raphino 56'), 7 Bugeja (9 Polli 82'). Substitutes: 12 Forcinella, 35 Robbioni, 2 Kullberg, 4 Van Diemen, 20 Detruyer, 29 Giudici. Coach: David Sassarini

HÄCKEN (4-2-3-1): 13 Falk; 24 Tindell, 20 Rybink (29 Karlsson 90'), 3 Luik, 4 Östlund; 7 Sanvig, 5 Egbuka (21 Fossdalsà 82'); 27 T. Pálmadóttir (14 Karlsson 72'), 10 Anvegård, 15 Selerud; 9 Bodin (6 Ogochukwu 82'). Substitutes: 29 Karlsson, 11 Ölvestad, 26 Staaf. Coach: Elena Sadiku

Booked: 67' Tindell (H), 74' Bugeja (I), 86' Karlsson (H), 86' Le Bihan (I)

Sent off: 89' Falk (H)

Stoppage time: -, 7' Referee: Martinčić Assistant referees: Petravić - Küng Fourth official: Kumer VAR: Jović AVAR: Gerbel