Barcelona and Inter Milan delivered a Champions League semifinal for the ages, battling to a breathtaking 3-3 draw at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. The first leg of this heavyweight clash saw both sides trade blows in a match packed with drama, stunning goals, and standout individual performances, setting up a mouthwatering decider in Milan next week.
Inter Milan stunned the home crowd with the fastest goal ever scored in a Champions League semifinal, as Marcus Thuram flicked in Denzel Dumfries’ cross after just 30 seconds. The Italian side doubled their lead in the 21st minute when Dumfries, provider of the opener, acrobatically finished from close range following a set-piece.
Barcelona, however, refused to buckle. Lamine Yamal, the teenage sensation, halved the deficit with a dazzling solo run and finish in the 24th minute. The hosts drew level before halftime when Ferran Torres finished off a sweeping move, capitalizing on a knockdown from Raphinha.
Inter regained the lead after the break as Dumfries headed home his second from a corner in the 63rd minute. But the drama wasn’t over: Raphinha unleashed a thunderous long-range strike that ricocheted off the crossbar and Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer to make it 3-3 just moments later.
Both teams had late chances, and Inter thought they had snatched a winner through Henrikh Mkhitaryan, only for VAR to rule the goal out for offside. The pulsating contest ended all square, leaving everything to play for in the second leg at San Siro.
- Barcelona had 62% possession and 18 shots, 8 on target.
- Inter managed 38% possession and 10 shots, 5 on target.
- Set pieces played a decisive role, with Inter scoring twice from corners[5][6].
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) – The 17-year-old dazzled with a solo goal and relentless creativity, underlining his status as one of Europe’s brightest young talents.
> “The performance of the team with the ball was really unbelievable. The way we played football today in a Champions League semifinal was really good. We started not well and conceded two goals, both from set pieces, which we need to defend better. But the style and character we showed was exceptional. We’ll be ready for the second leg-it’s like a final for us.”
Flick also praised Lamine Yamal, calling him “a once-in-a-generation player who thrives in significant matches.” He expressed confidence in his side’s ability to finish the job in Milan, especially after seeing the resilience and quality shown by his young stars.
> “After three straight defeats, we showcased the real Inter tonight. We played with passion, and I’m proud. Of course, we aimed for victory, but I believe it was a solid performance, and there’s still everything to play for. Let’s see what happens at the San Siro.”
The tie is perfectly poised heading into the second leg at San Siro on May 6. With both teams having shown their attacking firepower and vulnerabilities, another classic could be in store as they battle for a place in the 2025 Champions League final in Munich.
This match will be remembered as one of the great Champions League semifinals-an instant classic that showcased the best of European football, with everything still to play for in Milan.