In a dramatic showdown at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan, Inter Milan triumphed over FC Barcelona with a thrilling 4-3 victory after extra time in the UEFA Champions League semi-final. The match, which was officiated by Polish referee Szymon Marciniak and witnessed by a record crowd of 75,504, saw Inter advance to the final, where they will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal.
The first leg of the tie had ended in a 3-3 draw, setting the stage for a high-stakes return match. Inter Milan came out strong, dominating the first half and taking a 2-0 lead by halftime. Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring in the 21st minute after capitalizing on a defensive error from Barcelona's Dani Olmo. Just before the break, Hakan Calhanoglu converted a penalty awarded for a foul on Martinez, giving Inter a comfortable lead.
However, Barcelona, under the guidance of coach Hansi Flick, refused to back down. The second half proved to be a rollercoaster ride as the Catalan side clawed their way back into the match. Eric Garcia ignited the comeback with a well-placed shot in the 54th minute, followed by Dani Olmo leveling the score at 2-2 just six minutes later. The momentum shifted further when Raphinha scored in the 87th minute, putting Barcelona ahead 3-2 and seemingly on the verge of a remarkable turnaround.
But Inter had other plans. In a heart-stopping finale, Francesco Acerbi equalized for the Nerazzurri in the third minute of injury time, sending the match into extra time. The tension was palpable as both teams fought for supremacy, with chances falling to both sides.
The decisive moment came in the 99th minute when Davide Frattesi scored the winning goal for Inter, sealing the match at 4-3. Frattesi's strike came after a swift counter-attack, showcasing Inter's resilience and determination. Wojciech Szczęsny, who had been solid in goal for Barcelona, was unable to stop the shot, leaving the Polish goalkeeper and his teammates devastated.
Post-match, Piotr Zieliński, who came on as a substitute in the 79th minute, expressed his joy at reaching the final. “We’ve worked hard for this moment, and now we want to lift the trophy,” he said, reflecting the ambition of the Inter squad. Meanwhile, Szczęsny remained proud of his team’s effort, stating, “The young players have a bright future ahead, and I believe they will one day claim the Champions League trophy.”
Robert Lewandowski, who was subbed in during the 91st minute, also contributed to the effort but could not change the outcome. The heartbreaking loss for Barcelona marked a disappointing end to their Champions League campaign, especially after their strong performance in the first leg.
As the dust settles on this thrilling encounter, Inter Milan can now look forward to the final in Munich on May 28, 2025, where they will aim to secure their place in history by winning the prestigious tournament.
