Comeback Kings: Inter Milan Knock Out Barcelona in 7-Goal Champions League Thriller
- Inter Milan defeated Barcelona 6-5 on aggregate after a dramatic seven-goal UCL semi-final second leg
- Francesco Acerbi scored a stoppage-time equaliser before Davide Frattesi netted a winner in extra time
- With the win, Inter Milan returned to the UEFA Champions League final for the first time since 2023
Inter Milan produced a first-half masterclass at the San Siro Stadium to take control of the second-leg semi-final tie against Barcelona on May 6.
With a 3-3 aggregate lead going into the game, the Nerazzurri extended their advantage through a clinical strike from Lautaro Martínez and a composed penalty from Hakan Calhanoglu.
Source: Getty Images
The goals gave Inter a 2-0 lead on the night and put them ahead 5-3 on aggregate.
Barcelona looked shell-shocked as Inter dominated possession and tempo, putting one foot firmly in the Champions League final.
UCL: Barcelona’s electric second-half comeback
However, the second half saw a resurgent Barcelona flip the script with an incredible fightback.
Eric García gave the Catalans hope by slamming home a volley in the 54th minute. Six minutes later, Dani Olmo found the net to make it 2-2 on the night and 5-4 on aggregate.
The momentum was firmly in Barcelona’s favour, and they appeared to have completed the turnaround when Raphinha scored in the 87th minute, giving them a 3-2 lead and a 6-5 aggregate advantage.
Source: Getty Images
The Brazil international made an astonishing piece of history as his goal made it 21 contributions this season - with 13 goals and eight assists.
According to talkSPORT, he equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s 21 goals from the 2013/14 season with Real Madrid, a watermark that looked like it would never be matched.
The San Siro crowd was silenced, but Inter were not done yet.
Inter's late drama and extra-time heroics
With the match slipping away, Inter Milan summoned their fighting spirit. Deep into stoppage time, centre-back Francesco Acerbi popped up with a last-gasp equaliser to level the match 3-3 and 6-6 on aggregate, forcing extra time.
The momentum swung again, and the home team capitalised quickly as just nine minutes into the added period, substitute Davide Frattesi delivered the decisive blow, slotting home to make it 4-3 and 7-6 on aggregate.
Despite Barcelona’s late attempts, the Italians held firm to secure their spot in the Champions League final for the first time since 2023.
Inter Milan’s amazing comeback was a testament to their resilience, composure, and never-say-die attitude.
In one of the greatest Champions League thrillers in recent memory, the Nerazzurri proved they are true contenders for the crown.
Simone Inzaghi’s men will now await the winner between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal tonight (May 7) to know their opponents in the 2025 Champions League final, to be staged in Munich.
PSG have taken a 1-0 advantage over the Gunners after a superb Ousmane Dembele goal at the four-minute mark silenced the home crowd at the Emirates Stadium.
Inter defender praises Lamine Yamal
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni heaped praise on Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, calling him the best player he has ever faced.
The Italian international described the 17-year-old as 'exceptional' and credited the top-rated teenage prodigy’s remarkable football intelligence and creativity.
Reflecting on their previous encounter, Bastoni said Inter learned from their mistakes in the first leg and that proved to be the difference during the second leg.
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Source: Legit.ng
