A breathtaking night at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys saw Barcelona and Inter Milan play out an electric 3-3 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal. The match had everything: goals, drama, controversy—and a teenage star once again stealing the show.
Inter stunned the home crowd with two early goals in the opening 21 minutes, but Barcelona fought back twice in a thrilling encounter that leaves the tie wide open ahead of next week’s second leg in Milan.
Inter Strike Fast and Shock Barcelona
Few expected Inter to come flying out of the gates, especially after their recent domestic struggles. But Marcus Thuram, just returning from injury, needed only 30 seconds to make his mark. A poor Barcelona clearance was punished in style as Thuram coolly flicked in Denzel Dumfries’s low cross with a classy back-heel finish—now the fastest goal in a Champions League semifinal.
Inter doubled their lead shortly after, this time from a set piece. Francesco Acerbi flicked on a corner, and Dumfries smashed home a spectacular acrobatic volley at the back post, stunning the hosts and silencing the 50,000 fans in the Olympic stadium.
Teenage Sensation Yamal Sparks the Comeback
But if anyone could drag Barcelona back into the match, it was 17-year-old Lamine Yamal. Making his 100th appearance for the club, the teenager delivered a moment of magic just three minutes after Dumfries’s strike. Gliding in from the right wing, he weaved past Henrikh Mkhitaryan and curled a precise shot off the post and in—his first Champions League semifinal goal and a reminder of just how special he is.
Yamal nearly repeated the feat moments later, beating his man with a dazzling move and striking the crossbar from a tight angle. He also created two chances for Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo that narrowly missed.
Barcelona’s persistence paid off in the 38th minute. Pedri picked out Raphinha with a clever cross, and the Brazilian headed it across goal for Torres to tap in the equaliser.
Late Goals and a Thrilling Finish
Inter regrouped after halftime and slowed the pace, but they struck again from a corner just before the hour mark. Dumfries was involved once more, with his header bouncing off Dani Olmo and past his own goalkeeper, giving the Italians a 3-2 lead.
But Barcelona weren’t done. Yamal smartly dummied a short corner, letting it run to Raphinha. The winger’s powerful shot rattled the bar, then deflected off goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s head and into the net—an unfortunate own goal, but one that brought the score back to 3-3.
Yamal almost completed a fairytale night with another curling effort that struck the bar, but neither side could find a winner.
Inzaghi Questions VAR Decision
Inter coach Simone Inzaghi was proud of his side’s display but voiced frustration over a disallowed goal in the 75th minute. Henrikh Mkhitaryan finished a sharp move, but VAR ruled it out for a tight offside call.
“I still don’t understand why it was ruled out,” Inzaghi said post-match. “Those moments can change everything.”
He also praised his players, particularly Thuram and Dumfries, for stepping up after injury layoffs, while giving special mention to Mehdi Taremi for returning to action despite limited preparation.
Injuries Mount for Inter Ahead of Second Leg
There was a potential setback for Inter as captain Lautaro Martinez was forced off at halftime with a thigh issue. Inzaghi confirmed the Argentine had played eight consecutive matches and needed rest but admitted, “I hope I don’t lose him, but I have some doubts.”
The coach applauded the squad’s resilience and depth as they prepare for what he called “a final” next Tuesday in Milan.
All Eyes on Milan for the Decider
The tie remains perfectly balanced ahead of the decisive second leg at San Siro next Tuesday. The winner will move on to the Champions League final in Munich on May 31, where either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain await.
As for Barcelona, they’ll be hoping their teenage superstar has more magic left in his boots.
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