In a match destined to be remembered as one of the Champions League‘s greatest semi-final encounters, Inter Milan and Barcelona delivered a six-goal thriller that ended 3-3 at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, setting up a tantalising one-legged decider at the San Siro next Tuesday.
It took just 30 seconds for the tone to be set, as Marcus Thuram etched his name into the history books by scoring the fastest ever goal in a Champions League semi-final.
The Frenchman’s sharp movement and audacious finish stunned the Barcelona faithful before they could settle into their seats.
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The Nerazzurri doubled their lead in spectacular fashion in the 21st minute, when Denzel Dumfries connected with a high-flying acrobatic volley that left Marc-André ter Stegen rooted.
At that point, Simone Inzaghi’s men looked to be running away with the tie.
But Barcelona, wounded but undeterred, found a lifeline through 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, who danced past defenders before finishing brilliantly, becoming the youngest player to ever score in a Champions League semi-final.
The Catalans rode that momentum as Raphinha, instrumental throughout the night, squared for Ferran Torres to slot home the equaliser in the 38th minute.
Inter, unshaken, once again took the lead just past the hour mark when Dumfries rose above the defence to nod a looping header beyond Wojciech Szczęsny — a moment of redemption and ruthlessness. Yet Barcelona refused to go quietly.
A well-rehearsed short corner found Raphinha, whose thunderous effort ricocheted off the crossbar and then off goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s back for a cruel own goal.
There was still time for more drama, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan thinking he’d won it for the visitors late on — only for VAR to intervene and rule his effort out for offside.
The final whistle brought a collective exhale from both benches, and confirmation that the tie remains on a knife’s edge heading into the second leg.
Despite the scoreline, expected goals data revealed a story of clinical finishing and chaotic efficiency, with Barcelona edging Inter 1.39 to 0.91 — a testament to the quality on display in both penalty boxes.
With one leg left to play in Milan, all roads lead to San Siro, where 90 minutes — or possibly more — will decide who books their place in the Wembley final.
After this all-time classic, football fans across the globe can only brace themselves for what’s next.
