Inter Milan has secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over Barcelona in extra time, clinching a 7-6 aggregate success to reach the Champions League final for the second time in three seasons. The unforgettable semi-final encounter at the San Siro on Tuesday left fans on the edge of their seats as the two teams delivered an epic battle.
The match, which began with Inter Milan leading 2-0 at halftime, was filled with dramatic moments. Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring in the 21st minute, giving Inter an early advantage, followed by a penalty from Hakan Calhanoglu in stoppage time, putting the Serie A champions firmly in control. However, Barcelona responded fiercely in the second half.
Eric Garcia pulled one back for Barcelona in the 54th minute, and Dani Olmo leveled the score at 2-2 an hour into the match. As tensions rose, Barcelona appeared to have the upper hand when Raphinha scored in the 88th minute, seemingly securing their place in the final. But in a heart-stopping turn of events, Inter Milan’s Francesco Acerbi scored a dramatic equalizer in stoppage time, bringing the match to extra time.
The intensity did not subside in extra time. In the 99th minute, substitute Davide Frattesi delivered the decisive blow, scoring the winner for Inter Milan to complete their comeback and seal a 4-3 victory on the night.
The 13 goals in the semi-final tie made it the joint highest-scoring Champions League semi-final, matching the 2018 semi-final between Liverpool and Roma. The result not only capped a sensational match but also secured Inter Milan’s seventh appearance in the final of Europe’s prestigious club competition.
With this victory, Inter will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in the final on May 31 in Munich. PSG holds a 1-0 lead heading into their second leg on Wednesday, making the race to the final even more exciting.
For Inter Milan, this marks another milestone in their European journey. The club has lifted the Champions League trophy three times (1964, 1965, and 2010) and will now look to add a fourth title to their illustrious history. They will seek redemption after losing last year’s final to Manchester City.
For Barcelona, this loss marks a painful end to their bid for a historic treble. The Spanish giants had already secured the Copa del Rey and are currently top of La Liga, where they are preparing for a crucial Clasico match against second-placed Real Madrid this weekend. The defeat leaves Barcelona to focus on domestic competitions as they were eliminated from the Champions League in heart-breaking fashion.
Inter Milan’s incredible comeback against Barcelona will be remembered as one of the most thrilling Champions League semi-finals in recent years, and the Italian side will now turn their focus to the final, where they will aim to write another chapter in their European football legacy.
