Inter Milan secured a historic Champions League final berth with a 4-3 extra-time win over Barcelona, completing a thrilling 7-6 aggregate triumph. Follow BRG365 for live updates on the final!
A 13-Goal Masterpiece
In a match that will define European football folklore, Inter Milan and Barcelona served up the highest-scoring Champions League semifinal in history (13 goals) to decide who would face Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in Munich.
Inter raced into a 2-0 lead at San Siro through Lautaro Martínez (21’) and Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s penalty (45’), but Barcelona’s relentless comeback – led by Eric García (54’), Dani Olmo (60’), and Raphinha (87’) – flipped the script.
Just as Barça celebrated a 3-2 lead, 37-year-old Francesco Acerbi stunned the Catalans with a 93’ equalizer, forcing extra time. Substitute Davide Frattesi then sealed Inter’s 4-3 win with a 99’ strike, sending the San Siro into pandemonium.
Key Stats:
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13 Goals: Joint-highest Champions League semifinal tally (2018: Liverpool 7-6 Roma).
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Yann Sommer: 7 saves, including two from Yamal’s 90+ minute efforts.
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Denzel Dumfries: 2 goals, 3 assists in the tie – most involvements by a player in a Champions League semifinal since 2014.
Sommer’s Heroics and Frattesi’s Fairy Tale
Yann Sommer became Inter’s unlikely hero, making seven saves – including two breathtaking stops to deny 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal – to keep his side alive.
The Swiss goalkeeper’s performance earned him the man-of-the-match accolade and praise from pundits as “the difference-maker.”
Davide Frattesi, meanwhile, continued his super-sub story.
After scoring against Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals, the midfielder struck again in extra time, celebrating wildly before collapsing from exhaustion. “This is the reward for never giving up,” he told Sky Sport.
Francesco Acerbi’s late equalizer added another layer of drama.
The cancer survivor, making his 20th European appearance, scored his first Champions League goal with a diving header, stripping off his shirt to reveal a tattoo of angel wings – a fitting symbol for Inter’s resilience.
Inzaghi’s Ploy vs. Barça’s High-Risk
Inter manager Simone Inzaghi outwitted Barcelona with a high-pressing 3-5-2 system, exploiting Barça’s high defensive line.
Wing-backs Denzel Dumfries (2 goals, 3 assists) and Federico Dimarco repeatedly targeted gaps, while Nicolò Barella orchestrated transitions.
Barcelona’s high-octane style produced three second-half goals but left vulnerabilities.
Manager Hansi Flick’s reliance on young stars like Yamal (14 successful dribbles) and Pedri backfired as Inter capitalized on counterattacks.
“We fought until the end, but Inter’s experience told,” Flick admitted.
Inter’s Revival vs. Barça’s Bittersweet
Inter’s victory marks their second Champions League final in three years, reviving memories of José Mourinho’s 2010 treble.
Owner Steven Zhang praised the team’s “unbreakable spirit,” while Inzaghi called it “a dream come true.”
For Barcelona, despite exiting empty-handed, the campaign highlighted their youth revolution. Yamal’s rise – alongside Pedri and Gavi – offers hope for the future.
“This pain will make us stronger,” said defender Ronald Araújo.
This semifinal encapsulated football’s magic – comebacks, heroics, and heartbreak.
Inter’s gritty triumph and Barça’s valiant effort will be etched in Champions League history. Follow BRG365 for updates as Inter prepare to face PSG or Arsenal in Munich!
