Barcelona Fight Back Twice to Earn Thrilling Draw Against Inter Milan in Champions League Semi-Final
Barcelona and Inter Milan played out a dramatic 3-3 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, with both sides showing great attacking flair in a six-goal thriller.
Inter Milan shocked the home crowd at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium by scoring just 30 seconds into the match. Marcus Thuram cleverly flicked in Denzel Dumfries’ low cross with a backheel to score the fastest goal ever in a Champions League semi-final.
Things got worse for Barcelona 20 minutes later when Dumfries scored again — this time with a stunning overhead kick — to give Inter a 2-0 lead.
But 17-year-old Lamine Yamal brought Barcelona back into the match with a brilliant solo goal in the 24th minute. He dribbled past several defenders before firing a lovely left-footed shot that went in off the post.
Yamal, making his 100th appearance for Barcelona, was the standout performer. He also hit the woodwork twice and showed why he’s one of the brightest young talents in world football.
Barcelona made it 2-2 before half-time when Ferran Torres poked the ball in from close range after Raphinha headed down Pedri’s long pass in the 38th minute.
In the second half, Dumfries scored his second and Inter’s third goal in the 63rd minute with a powerful header from Hakan Calhanoglu’s corner.
But Barcelona responded almost immediately. Just two minutes later, Raphinha hit a powerful shot from 25 yards out that smashed the crossbar, bounced down, and crossed the line after hitting Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s back.
The exciting match ended 3-3, leaving everything to play for in the second leg, which takes place next Tuesday at the San Siro in Milan.
