In a thrilling encounter at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona and Inter Milan played to a dramatic 3-3 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final on April 30, 2025. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring stunning goals, near misses, and a controversial disallowed goal that left fans on the edge of their seats.
The excitement kicked off just 30 seconds into the match when Marcus Thuram scored for Inter with a spectacular backheel flick, assisted by Denzel Dumfries. This lightning-fast goal set the tone for an action-packed evening. Inter doubled their lead in the 20th minute when Dumfries himself scored with an acrobatic effort following a corner taken by Francesco Acerbi, making it 2-0.
However, Barcelona was quick to respond. Just four minutes later, the 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal pulled one back for the hosts with a curling shot from the edge of the area that found the back of the net in the 24th minute. Yamal's impressive performance throughout the match was a highlight, as he continually troubled the Inter defense and even struck the crossbar twice.
As the first half progressed, the tension in the stadium grew. Barcelona equalized in the 38th minute when Ferran Torres latched onto a header from Raphinha and scored from close range, bringing the score to 2-2. The home side's momentum was palpable, and it seemed they would take control of the match.
In the second half, Inter regained the lead when Dumfries scored his second goal of the night in the 63rd minute. He headed in a corner from Hakan Çalhanoglu, putting his team ahead 3-2. But just two minutes later, the drama continued as Raphinha's powerful shot hit the crossbar and ricocheted off the back of Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer, resulting in an own goal that tied the match at 3-3.
The game was far from over, with both teams pushing for a winner. Henrikh Mkhitaryan thought he had scored a fourth goal for Inter in the dying moments, but it was disallowed for offside after a VAR check, much to the frustration of the Inter players and fans. Meanwhile, Lautaro Martinez left the pitch in the first half due to a muscular problem, raising concerns about his fitness for the return leg.
Barcelona's coach Hansi Flick expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, highlighting the importance of the draw and the resilience shown by his players. "We showed great character to come back from two goals down," he said. "Lamine Yamal's contribution was exceptional, and we need to carry this momentum into the second leg."
On the other hand, Inter's coach Simone Inzaghi was left to ponder what could have been. "We had chances to secure a win, but we need to be more clinical in front of goal," he reflected. "The disallowed goal was a tough call, but we must focus on the positives and prepare for the return match at San Siro."
The stage is now set for the second leg, which will take place on May 6, 2025, at Inter's home ground. Both teams will have everything to play for as they vie for a place in the Champions League final, scheduled for May 31 at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
The draw leaves the tie delicately poised, with both teams having shown their attacking prowess and defensive vulnerabilities. Fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an electrifying second leg, with the stakes higher than ever. Will Inter capitalize on their home advantage, or will Barcelona continue their quest for European glory? Only time will tell.
