UEFA Champions League: Barcelona and Inter Milan battle to a thrilling 3-3 draw in semi-final first leg | Football News
Barcelona and Inter Milan played out an exhilarating 3-3 draw in their Champions League semi-final first leg at Olympic stadium on Wednesday, with 16-year-old Lamine Yamal delivering a standout performance. The match featured six goals, including the fastest-ever Champions League semi-final goal scored by Marcus Thuram after just 30 seconds.
Inter Milan took an early lead through Thuram’s clever back-heel finish after Inigo Martinez slipped at a crucial moment, allowing the French striker to convert Denzel Dumfries’ low cross.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Dumfries extended Inter’s lead with an acrobatic finish from Francesco Acerbi’s headed corner, putting the 2023 runners-up in a commanding position.
Yamal, making his 100th appearance for Barcelona, responded with a brilliant solo goal, becoming the youngest player to score in a Champions League semi-final. He dribbled past multiple defenders before placing a perfect shot off the left post.
Ferran Torres equalised for Barcelona after 38 minutes, converting Raphinha’s header across goal from Pedri’s delivery into the area.
The second half saw both teams continue their attacking prowess. Dumfries restored Inter’s lead with a header that deflected in off Dani Olmo.
Barcelona quickly leveled again when Raphinha’s powerful shot hit the crossbar and went in off goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s head for an own goal.
“Letting in that many goals is unacceptable, but we also have to give Inter credit, they did very well. The important thing is we leave with a result where everything can happen,” said Raphinha.
“After three defeats in a row we saw the real Inter tonight, we played with heart and I’m proud,” Dumfries told Amazon Prime Video.
“Yamal is a phenomenon of the kind born every 50 years,” said impressed Inter coach Simone Inzaghi.
Both teams suffered injury setbacks during the match. Barcelona’s Jules Kounde left before halftime, while Inter captain Lautaro Martinez also departed due to injury, with Inzaghi expressing doubts about his availability for the return leg.
Inter’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan had a goal disallowed for a tight offside decision, later saying he would think about it “maybe for the rest of my life.” Yamal hit the woodwork again as both teams pushed for a winner.
Poll
Who was the standout player in the Barcelona vs Inter Milan match?
“We will have our chance in Milan. This is our goal, we will fight for it,” said Barcelona coach Hansi Flick.
The second leg is scheduled for next Tuesday in Milan, with the winner advancing to face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in the final at Munich on May 31.
