In a thrilling UEFA Champions League semi-final match held at the Olympic Lluís Companys Stadium in Barcelona, the home team, FC Barcelona, faced off against Inter Milan, resulting in a dramatic 3-3 draw. The match took place on the night of May 1, 2025, and both teams showcased their attacking prowess from the very start.
Barcelona entered the match under the guidance of head coach Hansi Flick, who had confirmed that Wojciech Szczęsny would remain the team's main goalkeeper for the Champions League. The squad featured notable players such as Pedri, Rafinha, and the 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, who has been drawing comparisons to the legendary Lionel Messi. Yamal, who has scored 14 goals and provided 24 assists in 48 matches this season, expressed that the pressure of such comparisons motivates him to perform better, stating, "The more pressure there is on me, the better I perform. It’s a kind of positive pressure."
The match kicked off with an explosive start as Inter Milan's Marcus Thuram scored a stunning goal just 30 seconds into the game. The French forward executed a brilliant back-heel finish after a cross from Denzel Dumfries, sending the visiting fans into a frenzy. Barcelona quickly regrouped, and on the 20th minute, Inter doubled their lead when Dumfries scored again, this time with a powerful header from a corner taken by Francesco Acerbi.
However, Barcelona was not to be outdone. Just four minutes later, Lamine Yamal got on the scoresheet, dribbling past Jules Koundé and scoring with a deflected shot off the left post. The young Spaniard's goal injected fresh hope into the Catalan side. As the first half progressed, Barcelona continued to press and, on the 38th minute, equalized when Ferran Torres scored following a clever assist from Rafinha, making it 2-2 at halftime.
The second half saw a shift in momentum, with Inter once again taking the lead on the 63rd minute. Hakan Çalhanoğlu delivered a precise free-kick that found Dumfries, who headed the ball into the net, restoring Inter's advantage at 3-2. But Barcelona responded swiftly; just two minutes later, they leveled the score once more. Dani Olmo's corner kick found Yamal, who let the ball pass through to Rafinha, whose shot deflected off the crossbar and into the net, resulting in an own goal by Inter's goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
As the match entered its final stages, both teams pushed for a decisive goal, but neither could find the back of the net again. Barcelona's attempts through Yamal and Rafinha were met with strong defensive efforts from Inter, and the match concluded with a hard-fought draw.
This result sets the stage for an exciting return leg, scheduled for May 7, 2025, at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan. Both teams will be looking to secure a place in the final, and with the aggregate score tied, the upcoming match promises to be an exhilarating encounter.
Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick praised his team's resilience after the match, stating, "We showed great character to come back twice in the game. The young players like Lamine are stepping up, and that’s crucial for us going forward." Meanwhile, Inter's coach Simone Inzaghi expressed disappointment at not securing the win but remained optimistic about their chances in the return leg.
The match not only highlighted the talent on display but also the intensity of the rivalry between these two historic clubs. With both teams aiming for Champions League glory, fans can expect an electrifying atmosphere in Milan next week.
As the football world turns its attention to the second leg, the anticipation builds. Will Barcelona's young stars shine once again, or will Inter Milan capitalize on their home advantage? Only time will tell as the two giants of European football clash once more in their quest for Champions League supremacy.
