In an exceptional football night that will remain etched in the memory of the Libyan fans, Spanish club Atlético Madrid was crowned champion of the “Reconstruction Cup” after defeating its Italian counterpart Inter Milan on penalties, in a friendly match hosted at the Benghazi International Stadium amidst a massive crowd and an unprecedented festive atmosphere in eastern Libya.
The showdown, which brought together two of Europe’s giants, was full of passion and excitement, and seemed to be more than just a friendly match, as it represented a moment of pride for the city of Benghazi, which once again hosted a global sporting event after years of absence.
Atlético Madrid was the first to score through its young striker Carlos Martín in the 35th minute, following a magical pass from captain Koke, igniting the stands filled with Libyan fans who cheered for both teams with great enthusiasm.
In the second half, Inter Milan came back strong and managed to equalize through defender Yann Bisseck, who capitalized on a perfect cross from his teammate Henrikh Mkhitaryan, bringing the match back to square one and igniting the excitement in the final minutes.
In the penalty shootout, Argentinian goalkeeper Juan Musso shone, brilliantly saving two attempts from Inter’s players, leading Atlético to lift the cup and compensating for his teammate Koke’s missed penalty.
The match witnessed the presence of big stars such as Antoine Griezmann (34), Thiago Almada (24), Mkhitaryan (36), and Matteo Darmian (35), which added a special glamour to the evening and made it a global event by all standards.
The fans’ celebration in Benghazi was not just for the Atlético Madrid team, but for the victory of the city itself, which succeeded in presenting a bright and civilized image of Libya. Its streets were adorned with flags and lights in celebration of the match, which carried a clear message to the world: Benghazi is back… and sport was the gateway to hope.