The UEFA Champions League semifinal clash between Inter Milan and Barcelona unfolded in dramatic fashion on May 6, 2025, at the iconic San Siro, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. The match kicked off at 9:00 p.m. local time, with both teams vying for a spot in the final in Munich later this month. In a thrilling encounter, Inter emerged victorious with a 4-3 win on the night, sealing their progression with a 7-6 aggregate score.
Barcelona looked set to make a triumphant return to the Champions League final for the first time in a decade when Raphinha struck in the 87th minute, putting the visitors ahead 3-2 on the night and 6-5 on aggregate. However, Inter's Francesco Acerbi had other plans, equalizing in the third minute of second-half stoppage time, sending the match into extra time. The drama continued as Davide Frattesi netted the winner in the 99th minute, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
The match was not without controversy, as Barcelona's players expressed their frustration over several key refereeing decisions by Szymon Marciniak. Inter was awarded a penalty following a VAR check for a foul by Pau Cubarsi on Lautaro Martinez, while a potential penalty for Barcelona was overturned when VAR ruled that Henrikh Mkhitaryan's foul on Lamine Yamal occurred just outside the box. Pedri, the young Barcelona star, voiced his concerns after the match, stating, "This isn’t the first time this has happened to us with this referee, and I think UEFA should look into it. There are things that are hard to explain. Every 50/50 went their way, and on the penalty on Lamine, which was later called a free-kick, he didn’t give Mkhitaryan a yellow card, which would’ve been his second."
Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick echoed Pedri's sentiments, visibly upset with Marciniak's officiating. He received a booking for his protests following Acerbi's equalizer, believing that Gerard Martin had been fouled by Inter's Denzel Dumfries in the lead-up to the goal. Flick commented, "I don't want to talk too much about the referee, but every decision that was 50-50 went (Inter's) way. I am disappointed, but not with my team. They tried everything. It's the way it is. We are out, but next year we will try again to make the fans happy."
Defender Eric Garcia also shared his frustrations, acknowledging that Barcelona conceded an alarming number of goals across both legs, which ultimately contributed to their exit from the tournament. "Football has been cruel to us," Garcia told Movistar Plus. "I have come to Inter Milan's stadium three times and things always happen that are beyond our control. We all know what happened with this referee when we came here last time. But it's no excuse; they have scored six goals against us."
The match was broadcast live in Spain, with fans able to follow the action through Movistar Plus on channels M+ Liga de Campeones, M+ Liga de Campeones 4, and LaLiga TV Bar. Movistar Liga de Campeones could be found on dial 60 and 441/443 in UHD, while Movistar Plus+ was available on dial 7. For those interested in watching future matches, Movistar offers several football plans, with prices ranging from 12 to 41 euros monthly, catering to different viewer needs.
As the dust settles on this thrilling semifinal clash, Inter Milan celebrates their hard-fought victory, while Barcelona reflects on what could have been. The match was not just a display of skill and determination but also a testament to the passion and intensity that the Champions League embodies. Fans around the world are left eagerly anticipating the final showdown in Munich, where Inter will look to secure their place in football history.
In conclusion, the semifinal match between Inter and Barcelona was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams showcasing their talents and fighting spirit. The controversies surrounding the officiating will likely spark discussions in the coming days, as both clubs prepare for their next challenges. Barcelona will aim to regroup and come back stronger next season, while Inter looks forward to their chance at glory in the Champions League final.
