Inter Milan secured a dramatic 4-3 victory over Barcelona after extra time in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg at San Siro, clinching a 7-6 aggregate win to advance to the final in Munich later this month.
The match was a thrilling encounter, with both teams exchanging leads. Inter took an early advantage through goals from Lautaro Martínez and Hakan Çalhanoğlu (penalty), but Barcelona responded with strikes from Eric García, Dani Olmo, and Raphinha. Francesco Acerbi’s stoppage-time goal forced extra time, where Davide Frattesi netted the decisive winner.
Inter’s goalkeeper, Yann Sommer, made crucial saves, particularly against Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, to preserve the lead. The match featured several controversial VAR decisions, including a penalty awarded to Inter and a reversed penalty for Barcelona.
With this victory, Inter Milan awaits the winner between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain in the final.
Match Highlights:
- Early Lead for Inter: Lautaro Martínez opened the scoring in the 21st minute, capitalising on a swift counterattack.
- VAR Drama: Just before halftime, Inter was awarded a penalty after a VAR review confirmed a foul on Martínez by Pau Cubarsí. Hakan Çalhanoğlu converted, giving Inter a 2-0 lead
- Barcelona’s Comeback: In the second half, Barcelona responded with goals from Eric García (54′) and Dani Olmo (60′), levelling the aggregate score. Raphinha then put Barcelona ahead in the 88th minute.
- Late Equaliser: Francesco Acerbi scored in stoppage time (90+3′), bringing the match to extra time.
- Decisive Goal: In the 99th minute, Davide Frattesi netted the winning goal for Inter, securing their place in the final.
The UEFA Champions League semi-final clash between Inter Milan and Barcelona on May 6, 2025, was not only a thrilling spectacle but also a record-setting encounter in the competition’s history.
Record-Breaking Highlights:
- Highest-Scoring Semi-Final Tie: The two-legged semi-final produced a total of 13 goals, with the first leg ending 3-3 and the second leg concluding 4-3 in favour of Inter Milan. This 7-6 aggregate scoreline marks the highest-scoring semi-final tie in UEFA Champions League history.
- Barcelona’s Offensive Record: Despite their elimination, Barcelona set a new club record by scoring 28 goals during the 2024–25 Champions League campaign, the highest by any team that season.
- Inter Milan’s Defensive Feat: Inter Milan showcased a formidable defence throughout the tournament, conceding only one goal in the league phase, the fewest by any team in the 2024–25 season.
These records underscore the exceptional performances and dramatic nature of the semi-final tie, highlighting both teams’ attacking prowess and Inter Milan’s defensive resilience
