In a night of unforgettable drama at the San Siro, Inter Milan have triumphed over Barcelona in a pulsating 4-3 victory after extra time in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final clash. The result sees the Italian giants progress to the final with a 7-6 aggregate score, ending Barcelona’s hopes of reaching their first final since 2015.
The first leg in Barcelona had already set the stage for a classic encounter, ending in a thrilling 3-3 draw. Tonight’s return leg did not disappoint, delivering another rollercoaster of emotions for fans worldwide.
Inter started strong, with Lautaro Martínez opening the scoring in the first half and then winning a penalty that was confidently converted by Hakan Çalhanoğlu, giving the home side a 2-0 lead going into the break.
However, Barcelona, known for their resilience, mounted a spirited comeback in the second half. Eric García pulled one back early after the restart with a well-taken volley, and Dani Olmo leveled the score with a header just six minutes later.
The tension in the stadium was palpable as both teams pushed for a winner. With just two minutes of regular time remaining, Raphinha looked to have snatched victory for Barcelona with a brilliant strike. But Inter refused to give up, and in the dying moments of stoppage time, Francesco Acerbi popped up with an astonishing equalizer, sending the match into extra time.
The additional 30 minutes saw both sides create chances, but it was Inter who found the decisive goal. A moment of brilliance in the box saw [Insert name of winning goal scorer if available in further reports] slot home, sending the San Siro into raptures and securing Inter’s place in the Champions League final.
Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer was named the man of the match for a string of crucial saves throughout the game, denying Barcelona’s young star Lamine Yamal on several occasions.
This victory marks Inter Milan’s second Champions League final appearance in the last three seasons. They will now travel to Munich to face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal, who play their second leg tomorrow, for the coveted trophy. The final is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Allianz Arena.
Football fans will undoubtedly remember this semi-final tie as one of the greatest in Champions League history, with a record-equaling 13 goals scored across the two legs. Inter Milan can now look forward to the final, while Barcelona will have to wait for another opportunity to lift the European crown.
