In a thrilling conclusion to their Champions League semi-final, Inter Milan edged past FC Barcelona with a 4-3 victory after extra time, securing their spot in the final with a dramatic aggregate score of 7-6. The match, held on May 6, 2025, at the iconic San Siro, was a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring two remarkable fightbacks from Barcelona and a stunning late winner from Inter's Davide Frattesi.
As the teams took the field, Barcelona aimed to reach their first Champions League final since 2015, when they last lifted the trophy after defeating Juventus in Berlin. With the stakes high, Barcelona's sporting director Deco spoke to Movistar before the match, emphasizing the significance of the occasion. “A Champions League semi-final is always different to any other game. These are decisive days, but right now we are focused on being in the final. We’ll talk about the league later,” Deco asserted confidently.
Frattesi became the hero of the night, scoring the decisive goal in the 99th minute after a brilliant setup by Marcus Thuram. His late strike sent the San Siro crowd into raptures, as Inter celebrated a victory that salvaged their season after earlier eliminations from treble contention. “It's just incredible, I don't know what to say. I thought after the Bayern game I couldn't ever feel the same emotions, but tonight was even more incredible,” Frattesi told Sky Sport, reflecting on his remarkable journey and the effort that led to his success.
Barcelona's journey in the match was marked by resilience. After trailing 2-0 at halftime due to goals from Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu's penalty, the Catalan side fought back valiantly. Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo equalized in the second half, both goals set up by Gerard Martin, showcasing Barcelona's attacking prowess. However, with just two minutes left in regular time, Raphinha completed the comeback, giving Barcelona a 3-2 lead and momentarily lifting their hopes of advancing.
But Inter was not done yet. Francesco Acerbi stunned the Barcelona supporters by scoring in the second minute of added time, converting a cross from Denzel Dumfries to level the match at 3-3 and send it into extra time. The atmosphere was electric, and the tension palpable as both teams battled for supremacy.
Deco had earlier praised the young talent Lamine Yamal, highlighting his maturity and potential, but maintained that the game would ultimately be decided by the team's collective effort. “We know what he can do and his maturity, but the match will be decided by the team,” Deco stated. Despite the heartbreak of the loss, Barcelona must now regroup and focus on maintaining their four-point advantage over Real Madrid in La Liga.
As the match progressed into extra time, Inter's defense held firm against a barrage of Barcelona attacks, led by a determined Yann Sommer in goal. The Swiss goalkeeper made crucial saves, including a breathtaking stop from Lamine Yamal in the 113th minute, which kept Inter in the game. Sommer's performance was pivotal, allowing Inter to withstand the pressure and ultimately secure the win.
Inter's victory not only marked their second Champions League final in three seasons but also ended Barcelona's hopes of a historic quadruple this season. Ronald Araujo, reflecting on the loss, expressed the team's disappointment: “The truth is we are sad. We wanted to get to the final; we were having a great Champions League campaign. We were very close, and it got away from us.”
Looking ahead, Inter will face either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain in the final, scheduled for May 31, 2025, in Munich. Federico Dimarco acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, “We know that there are two really strong teams in the other semi. But you have to play to win any final.”
Barcelona, meanwhile, will have to shift their focus back to domestic competition. Deco, while avoiding discussion about Hansi Flick's contract renewal, underscored the importance of the upcoming matches: “This is not the time to talk about a contract; it’s about playing today and then we’ll see.”
This thrilling encounter showcased the drama and unpredictability of football at its highest level, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. As both teams prepare for their respective futures, the echoes of this match will resonate for some time, with Inter basking in the glory of their hard-fought victory and Barcelona reflecting on what could have been.
