Inter Milan Stuns Barcelona in Historic Champions League Semifinal Epic at San Siro

Milan, May 6, 2025 – In a colossal UEFA Champions League semifinal showdown that will be etched in football lore, Inter Milan orchestrated a breathtaking 4-3 extra-time triumph over Barcelona at the iconic San Siro, storming into the final with a 7-6 aggregate victory. The first leg, a pulsating 3-3 draw on April 30 at Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium, set the stage for this monumental clash, which unfolded as one of the most electrifying ties in the competition’s history, rivaling the 13-goal spectacle of Liverpool vs. Roma in 2017-18.

The second leg erupted with unrelenting intensity. Inter seized control early as Lautaro Martínez ignited the 80,000-strong crowd with a clinical 21st-minute strike, followed by Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s ice-cool penalty just before halftime (45'). Barcelona, undeterred, roared back with a vengeance, leveling the score through Eric Garcia’s towering header (54') and Dani Olmo’s deft finish (60'). As the match hurtled toward its climax, Raphinha’s sublime 88th-minute curler seemed to tilt the tie in Barcelona’s favor, silencing the Nerazzurri faithful. But in a moment of sheer defiance, Francesco Acerbi rose above the chaos to nod home a 93rd-minute equalizer, sending the San Siro into pandemonium and forcing extra time. There, Davide Frattesi emerged as the unlikely hero, slotting home in the 99th minute to spark delirium and secure Inter’s passage.

The first leg had been no less dramatic. Inter shocked Barcelona within 30 seconds through Marcus Thuram’s blistering opener, with Denzel Dumfries adding a brace (21', 64'). Barcelona countered with Lamine Yamal’s audacious solo effort (24'), Ferran Torres’ equalizer (38'), and a fortunate own goal by Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer (65'). Yamal’s wizardry and Inter’s set-piece dominance kept the tie on a knife’s edge, setting up the San Siro showdown.

Inter’s victory was a testament to their resilience amid adversity, with injuries to key players like Martínez testing their depth. Sommer’s 14 saves across both legs and Dumfries’ relentless energy, including assists and goals, proved decisive. Barcelona, missing defensive linchpin Jules Koundé in the second leg, showcased their attacking brilliance through Yamal but faltered on critical set pieces, a recurring Achilles’ heel.

This titanic battle, witnessed by millions worldwide, underscored the Champions League’s unrivaled drama. Inter Milan, now bound for their second final in three years, await the winner of PSG vs. Arsenal in the grand finale on May 31, 2025, at Munich’s Allianz Arena. For Barcelona, the defeat marks a bitter end to a spirited campaign, leaving fans to wonder what might have been.

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