Tempers flared during a heated Champions League semi-final clash between Barcelona and Inter Milan on May 6, 2025, as an alleged spitting incident involving defenders Inigo Martinez and Francesco Acerbi ignited tensions on the pitch. With Inter leading 2-0 on the night and 5-3 on aggregate, the match took a dramatic turn after Hakan Calhanoglu converted a penalty, putting further pressure on the Catalan side.
The incident occurred as Acerbi was sprinting back to his half when Martinez reportedly spat in his direction. This altercation was not captured by VAR, which means Martinez avoided a potential red card for the offense. Acerbi, visibly incensed, attempted to confront Martinez, leading to a brief melee that required intervention from teammates and referee Szymon Marciniak to restore order.
Following the incident, Martinez received the first booking of the match in the 51st minute for a foul on Marcus Thuram, further escalating the intensity of the encounter. However, Barcelona began to claw their way back into the match just three minutes later when Eric Garcia halved the deficit with a well-placed shot.
As the game progressed, the atmosphere remained electric. Dani Olmo netted the equalizer for Barcelona in the 60th minute, sending the traveling fans into a frenzy and leveling the score at 2-2 on the night. Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick made a tactical change in the 76th minute, substituting Martinez for Ronald Araujo to maintain defensive stability.
In a dramatic twist, Raphinha scored in the 87th minute, slotting home a rebound after his initial attempt was saved by Inter's goalkeeper Yann Sommer. This goal brought Raphinha's Champions League tally to an impressive 13 goals, just one shy of Lionel Messi's record for Barcelona in the competition.
However, the excitement didn't end there. In the third minute of stoppage time, Acerbi found the back of the net with a powerful strike from Denzel Dumfries' low cross, celebrating exuberantly despite receiving a yellow card for removing his shirt in the process. This goal sent the match into extra time, with the aggregate score now at 6-5 in favor of Inter.
As the first half of extra time unfolded, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal had a golden opportunity to score the latest of winners, but his close-range effort was thwarted by Sommer, who made a spectacular save. The tension in the stadium was palpable as both teams pushed for a decisive goal.
In the 99th minute, Inter's Davide Frattesi emerged as the hero, scoring with a clinical finish after receiving a pass from substitute Mehdi Taremi. This goal put Inter ahead 4-3 on the night and extended their aggregate lead to 7-6, effectively sealing their place in the Champions League final.
Inter's victory marks their second appearance in the Champions League final in three seasons, having lost to Manchester City in the 2023 final. Now, they will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in Munich on May 31, 2025, with PSG holding a narrow 1-0 aggregate lead heading into their second leg.
The match showcased not only the fierce rivalry between the two clubs but also highlighted the emotional intensity that Champions League fixtures often bring. With both teams displaying moments of brilliance and frustration, this semi-final will be remembered for its drama, skill, and the fiery exchanges that unfolded on the pitch.
As fans eagerly await the final showdown, the question remains: can Inter go one step further this time and lift the coveted trophy, or will their opponents in Munich prove too formidable?
