In a thrilling encounter at the Estadio Giuseppe Meazza, Barcelona faced a devastating exit from the Champions League, falling to Inter Milan 4-3 after extra time in the semifinal second leg. The match saw Barcelona come back from a 2-0 deficit, only to see their hopes dashed in the dying moments as Inter equalized and then clinched the victory in extra time.
The Catalan giants, aiming for their first Champions League final since 2015, entered the match with high spirits following their Copa del Rey triumph over Real Madrid and a strong lead in LaLiga. However, they were met with fierce resistance from an Inter Milan side that had already reached the final in 2023.
Barcelona had previously drawn 3-3 in the first leg at the Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys, making this second leg a must-win for both teams to secure a spot in the final at the Allianz Arena, home of Bayern Munich.
From the onset, Inter took control, with Lautaro Martínez scoring the opener in the 21st minute after a defensive error from Barcelona. Just before halftime, Hakan Çalhanoglu doubled Inter's lead with a penalty awarded for a foul by Cubarsí on Lautaro, putting Barcelona in a precarious position at 2-0 (5-3 on aggregate).
However, the second half saw a remarkable turnaround for the visitors. Eric García struck back for Barcelona in the 54th minute, scoring a stunning volley that ignited hope among the traveling fans. Just six minutes later, Dani Olmo leveled the match at 2-2, heading in a cross from Gerard Martín.
Barcelona continued to press, and in the 87th minute, Raphinha completed the comeback, giving the Catalans a 3-2 lead and a 6-5 aggregate advantage. But just when it seemed Barcelona had secured their place in the final, Inter's Francesco Acerbi found the net in the 93rd minute, sending the match into extra time with the aggregate score tied at 6-6.
As the first half of extra time unfolded, both teams struggled to find their rhythm, with Inter's goalkeeper Sommer making crucial saves to keep his team in the game. In a dramatic turn of events, Davide Frattesi scored for Inter in the 114th minute, putting the hosts ahead 4-3 (7-6 on aggregate) and sealing Barcelona's fate.
Eric García, reflecting on the match, expressed the team's disappointment, stating, "Football has been very cruel to us. The character of this team is incredible. We showed we are a strong side, but it hurts to concede in the last minutes." He added, "Many didn't believe in us this year, saying it was a transition year, but look at what we've built. We have to be proud of our performance this season."
Barcelona's coach Hansi Flick also shared his thoughts, praising his players for their resilience but lamenting the missed opportunities that led to their elimination. "We fought hard to come back, but we fell short at the end. The team has shown great spirit, and we will learn from this experience," he said.
With this victory, Inter Milan advances to their seventh Champions League final, where they will face either Arsenal or PSG. The Italian side has a storied history in the competition, having previously won titles in 1964, 1965, and 2010. Meanwhile, Barcelona will now shift their focus back to domestic competitions, where they remain leaders in LaLiga and are still in contention for the league title.
The match showcased the highs and lows of football, with Barcelona demonstrating incredible tenacity but ultimately succumbing to a late surge from Inter. As both teams head into the final stretch of the season, the stakes remain high, with Inter looking to reclaim European glory and Barcelona aiming to solidify their domestic dominance.
As the football world reflects on this epic semifinal clash, fans will eagerly await the final showdown in Munich, where Inter's quest for European glory continues, while Barcelona will regroup and aim for redemption in their remaining fixtures.
