Barcelona And Inter Deliver Champions League Thriller In Semi-Final First Leg

‎Barcelona and Inter Milan delivered a rollercoaster of emotions in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, ending in a dramatic 3-3 draw.

‎Early Shock for Barcelona

‎Inter Milan’s visit to Catalonia was characterized by a storming start from Simone Inzaghi’s side, who looked eager to end their winless streak on Spanish soil now extended to 11 matches (D4, L7).

‎The Nerazzurri couldn’t have hoped for a better beginning, scoring inside the first 30 seconds. Denzel Dumfries delivered an inch-perfect cross which was met with Marcus Thuram’s audacious flick, curling past Wojciech Szczęsny and into the net. The rapid goal stunned the hosts and set a tone of urgency.

‎Barcelona’s Response 

‎Stung by the early setback, Barcelona pushed forward in search of an immediate reply. Ferran Torres had goal-bound efforts that were narrowly wide, and the Catalans’ attacking intensity persisted.

‎Their efforts bore fruit in the 21st minute when Dumfries, trying to clear a cross, instead saw the ball deflect to Francesco Acerbi, whose clever flick-on found Marcus Thuram. The Frenchman’s acrobatic finish doubled Inter’s advantage, putting the visitors in a dominant position.

‎But Barça wasn’t to be outdone. The teenage sensation Lamine Yamal showcased his emerging talent, dribbling past multiple Inter defenders before curling a sublime shot into the far corner, reducing the arrears just a few minutes later.

‎Yamal’s influence kept the excitement alive as he forced a superb save from Yann Sommer, who tipped his fierce angled strike onto the crossbar in what was one of the first-half highlights.

‎Barca’s Push for Equalizer

‎As half-time approached, Barcelona continued to threaten. Dani Olmo’s low drive was again denied by Sommer, but the hosts’ persistence paid off just before the break.

‎Raphinha floated a cushioned header into the box which Torres finished confidently from close range, leveling the score and setting up an electrifying second half.

‎Inter’s Lack of Lautaro and a Set-Piece Goal

‎The second period saw Inter shorthanded without their talisman Lautaro Martínez, who was sidelined through injury. Despite this setback, the Nerazzurri looked more threatening. They missed an excellent opportunity when Federico Dimarco blazed over from 12 yards.

‎Nevertheless, they regained the lead on the hour mark through another set-piece, as Dumfries rose highest to nod Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s corner into the net, making it 3-2 to Inter.

‎Barcelona’s Resilience 

‎Unwilling to concede defeat, Barcelona responded swiftly. Just two minutes after falling behind, Raphinha stepped up to unleash a remarkable long-range strike that crashed off the crossbar and ricocheted off Sommer into the net, bringing the hosts level once more at 3-3.

‎End-to-End Clash 

‎Both teams pushed relentlessly for a decisive goal in the final moments. Henrikh Mkhitaryan saw an excellent finish ruled out for offside, while Yamal came close again with a scuffed shot that hit the woodwork. Despite a flurry of late attacks, neither side could find the winning goal, and the match concluded in a thrilling draw.