AC Milan delivered an emphatic performance to defeat RB Salzburg 4-0 away from home in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, October 15, 2026, with teenager Alphadjo Cissé stealing the spotlight by scoring a remarkable hat-trick.
Cissé struck in the 15th, 33rd and 50th minutes to put Milan firmly in control before Gonçalo Ramos added the fourth goal in the 72nd minute. The victory provided a timely response from Rúben Amorim’s side following their disappointing opening defeat to Benfica in the competition.
Milan travelled to Austria seeking their first points of the Europa League campaign, and their clinical finishing ensured they left the Red Bull Arena with an impressive result.
Salzburg began the match with attacking intent, using their pace and movement to test Milan’s defensive organisation. The hosts looked dangerous in the early exchanges, but Milan gradually settled into the contest and began creating opportunities of their own.
Adrien Rabiot was among the first Milan players to threaten, getting involved in an attacking move after Davide Bartesaghi advanced down the left flank and delivered a cross.
Milan’s growing confidence eventually produced the breakthrough in the 15th minute. Cissé finished from close range to put the visitors ahead, rewarding their improved attacking play and giving the Italian side an important advantage.
The opening goal changed the complexion of the contest. Salzburg were forced to chase the game, creating additional space for Milan to exploit as the visitors looked to extend their lead.
Cissé struck again in the 33rd minute, demonstrating his composure and attacking instincts to double Milan’s advantage.
The young forward’s second goal left Salzburg facing an uphill battle before half-time. Milan had taken their opportunities effectively, while the Austrian side struggled to turn its promising spells into goals.
The 2-0 scoreline gave Amorim’s team a comfortable platform heading into the interval, although Salzburg still had time to attempt a response in the second half.
Any hopes of a Salzburg comeback suffered a major setback shortly after the restart.
Cissé completed his hat-trick in the 50th minute, finishing from close range after a dangerous delivery from Rabiot. The French midfielder supplied the ball across the penalty area, allowing Cissé to arrive in the right position and complete the move with a simple finish.
The goal made it 3-0 and confirmed a memorable individual performance from the teenager.
The officials briefly checked the goal for a possible offside infringement before it was confirmed. The VAR review added a short delay, but Milan were ultimately allowed to celebrate their third goal of the evening.
Cissé’s hat-trick was particularly significant because of his age. At 19 years and 358 days, he became the youngest Italian player to score at least three goals in a major European competition since Filippo Inzaghi achieved the feat in 2002, according to statistics cited during the match coverage.
With Milan leading by three goals, Salzburg needed an extraordinary turnaround to get back into the contest.
The hosts continued searching for opportunities, but Milan maintained control and defended their advantage while looking for further openings on the counterattack.
The visitors’ fourth goal arrived in the 72nd minute and effectively ended any remaining uncertainty about the outcome.
Salzburg lost possession while attempting to play out from the back, allowing Milan midfielder Ardon Jashari to regain the ball near the edge of the penalty area.
The loose ball reached Gonçalo Ramos, who adjusted his body before directing a finish into the far corner to make it 4-0.
The goal punished Salzburg for a costly defensive error and underlined Milan’s effectiveness in exploiting mistakes from their opponents.
Ramos’s strike also completed a comprehensive team performance in which Milan combined clinical finishing with the ability to capitalise on Salzburg’s defensive shortcomings.
However, the closing stages were not entirely positive for the Italian side.
Milan defender Pietro Terracciano was sent off in the 83rd minute, leaving the visitors to finish the match with 10 men.
The dismissal was a setback despite Milan’s commanding advantage, forcing the visitors to manage the remaining minutes with a numerical disadvantage.
Salzburg attempted to make use of the extra player, but the hosts could not find a way past Milan’s defence to reduce the deficit.
The final whistle confirmed a 4-0 victory for Milan, with Cissé’s hat-trick remaining the defining feature of the evening.
For Amorim, the result offered an important response after the defeat to Benfica in Milan’s opening Europa League fixture. The visitors demonstrated greater efficiency in front of goal and showed they could turn attacking opportunities into a decisive result away from home.
Cissé was undoubtedly the standout performer, with his three goals highlighting his movement, awareness and finishing ability. Rabiot also played an important role, particularly with his contribution to the third goal, while Ramos provided the finishing touch to an impressive team display.
Salzburg, meanwhile, will be disappointed by the scale of the defeat. Although the hosts showed attacking promise early in the match, they were unable to prevent Milan from taking control after the opening goal. Defensive mistakes and Milan’s clinical finishing ultimately proved costly.
The result also demonstrated the importance of taking chances in European competition. Milan converted their opportunities into four goals, while Salzburg failed to produce a response capable of changing the outcome.
Despite Terracciano’s late dismissal, Milan comfortably saw out the contest to secure their first points of the Europa League campaign.
Ultimately, Cissé’s hat-trick and Ramos’s second-half strike ensured Milan returned from Austria with a commanding victory, restoring confidence and providing a strong foundation for their remaining fixtures in the competition.
