Inter Triumph Over Barcelona 4-3 in Thrilling Match to Advance to Champions League Final
Inter Milan secured their spot in the UEFA Champions League final following a thrilling 4-3 extra-time victory over Barcelona on Tuesday, clinching a 7-6 aggregate win in the semifinal's second leg at San Siro. As seven-time finalists, the...
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Inter Milan secured their spot in the UEFA Champions League final following a thrilling 4-3 extra-time victory over Barcelona on Tuesday, clinching a 7-6 aggregate win in the semifinal's second leg at San Siro.
As seven-time finalists, the team, which last competed in the title match in 2023, aims to capture their fourth European crown when they take on either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain at Munich's Allianz Arena on May 31.
Lautaro Martinez netted the opener in the 21st minute, finishing from close range after Federico Dimarco intercepted Frenkie de Jong near the touchline, enabling Denzel Dumfries to deliver a precise cross.
Just before halftime, Martinez earned a penalty after being fouled in the box, leading Hakan Calhanoglu to convert from the spot and extend Inter's lead to 2-0.
Barcelona initiated a comeback in the second half. Gerard Martin's cross connected with Eric Garcia, who volleyed in from within the area in the 54th minute. Six minutes later, Dani Olmo equalized with a powerful header, also from a Martin delivery. In the 87th minute, Raphinha seemed to have clinched the victory for the visitors by tapping in a rebound to put Barcelona ahead 3-2.
However, Inter responded dramatically deep into stoppage time. Dumfries sent in another low cross from the right that reached Francesco Acerbi, whose finish forced the match into extra time, reviving the spirits of the home crowd.
The decisive moment came in the 99th minute when Marcus Thuram broke down the right flank and cut the ball back for Mehdi Taremi, who laid it off to Davide Frattesi. The Italian midfielder curled a shot into the far corner, completing Inter's remarkable comeback and securing their place in the final.
The two-legged tie resulted in a total of 13 goals, matching the record for the most scored in a Champions League knockout round matchup. Inter has previously triumphed in the competition in 1964, 1965, and 2010.
Barcelona, a five-time European champion, found their hopes of returning to the final dashed for the first time since 2015.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
As seven-time finalists, the team, which last competed in the title match in 2023, aims to capture their fourth European crown when they take on either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain at Munich's Allianz Arena on May 31.
Lautaro Martinez netted the opener in the 21st minute, finishing from close range after Federico Dimarco intercepted Frenkie de Jong near the touchline, enabling Denzel Dumfries to deliver a precise cross.
Just before halftime, Martinez earned a penalty after being fouled in the box, leading Hakan Calhanoglu to convert from the spot and extend Inter's lead to 2-0.
Barcelona initiated a comeback in the second half. Gerard Martin's cross connected with Eric Garcia, who volleyed in from within the area in the 54th minute. Six minutes later, Dani Olmo equalized with a powerful header, also from a Martin delivery. In the 87th minute, Raphinha seemed to have clinched the victory for the visitors by tapping in a rebound to put Barcelona ahead 3-2.
However, Inter responded dramatically deep into stoppage time. Dumfries sent in another low cross from the right that reached Francesco Acerbi, whose finish forced the match into extra time, reviving the spirits of the home crowd.
The decisive moment came in the 99th minute when Marcus Thuram broke down the right flank and cut the ball back for Mehdi Taremi, who laid it off to Davide Frattesi. The Italian midfielder curled a shot into the far corner, completing Inter's remarkable comeback and securing their place in the final.
The two-legged tie resulted in a total of 13 goals, matching the record for the most scored in a Champions League knockout round matchup. Inter has previously triumphed in the competition in 1964, 1965, and 2010.
Barcelona, a five-time European champion, found their hopes of returning to the final dashed for the first time since 2015.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
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