Cup Final Shock: Underdogs AC Milan Stun Favorites Dortmund to Claim Top 100 Cup Glory

Estadio Azteca witnessed one of the greatest upsets in Top 100 Cup history as relegation-battling AC Milan defeated heavy favorites Borussia Dortmund 2-1

In what can only be described as a David vs Goliath encounter, AC Milan produced the performance of their season to claim the Top 100 Cup in dramatic fashion, overcoming a Borussia Dortmund side that had been overwhelming favorites to lift the trophy.

Pre-season predictions had painted a stark picture — Dortmund’s star-studded squad, boasting the likes of Jude Bellingham (95 rating), Vinícius Júnior (96 rating), and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (93 rating), were tipped to cruise to the Division 1 title. Meanwhile, Milan’s modest assembly of players had marked them out as prime relegation candidates, with their £160.4M squad value dwarfed by Dortmund’s £533.7M roster.

Yet football, as it so often does, delivered the most unlikely of narratives.

Early Drama Sets the Tone

The match exploded into life within the opening minute when Aleksandr Golovin, one of Milan’s few genuinely world-class operators, latched onto a pass from Gorka Guruzeta and fired past Gianluigi Donnarumma. For a team expected to fold under pressure, it was the perfect start.

Dortmund’s response was swift and predictable. With their attacking mentality and adventurous formation, they pushed forward in waves, and it took just five minutes for their quality to tell. Bellingham, justifying every penny of his £76M valuation, curled home a sublime free-kick to restore parity and seemingly put the natural order back in place.

Tactical Battle

What followed was a fascinating tactical chess match that perfectly encapsulated the gulf between the two sides’ resources and expectations. Milan manager Simon Thomas deployed an ultra-defensive setup — narrow width, very defensive mentality, and disciplined formation fluidity. It was the approach of a team that knew survival depended on keeping things tight.

Dortmund manager Dario Saviano, conversely, unleashed his galaxy of stars in an attacking formation with fast tempo and bold creativity. The statistics told the expected story — 57% possession to the Germans, 12 shots to Milan’s 9, with Camavinga and Barella pulling the strings in midfield.

Against All Odds

But Milan’s greatest weakness had been turned into their salvation. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, they played with the freedom that only comes from rock-bottom expectations. Their direct passing style and counter-attacking approach caught Dortmund off-guard repeatedly.

The decisive moment arrived in the 61st minute through substitute Thierno Barry — a 22-year-old worth £9M, facing defenders worth more than Milan’s entire starting XI. When Leandro Trossard found him in space, Barry’s finish was emphatic, sending the underdog supporters wild.

Dortmund’s Desperation

The final half-hour saw Dortmund throw everything forward. Havertz, Júnior, and Kvaratskhelia combined in waves of attack, with Alexander Nübel in the Milan goal producing several crucial saves. The closest they came was an 83rd-minute strike from Júnior that bulged the net — only for the offside flag to crush their hopes.

Miracle Complete

When the final whistle blew, it confirmed one of the most remarkable upsets in recent memory. A team predicted to finish bottom had defeated the division’s supposed champions-elect. Milan’s average squad rating of 87 had overcome Dortmund’s 89, their £37k average wages had trumped their opponents’ £79k salaries.

For Simon Thomas and his unlikely heroes, it represents vindication of their season-long battle against the odds. For Dario Saviano and his star-studded squad, it’s a painful reminder that in football, talent alone doesn’t guarantee trophies.

As Milan celebrated their greatest triumph in years, one couldn’t help but reflect on football’s enduring capacity to surprise. Sometimes, the smallest budgets can produce the biggest dreams.

---

Final Score: AC Milan 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
Attendance: 84,935
Goalscorers: Golovin 1’, Barry 61’ (Milan); Bellingham 6’ (Dortmund)