In a historic football night at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Inter Milan secured their place in the final of the 2025 UEFA Champions League after a thrilling 4-3 victory over Barcelona in the semi-final second leg. This dramatic win allowed Inter to triumph 7-6 on aggregate over the two-legged tie, setting up an exciting showdown in the final against the winner of the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, scheduled to take place at Allianz Arena in Munich on May 31.
The first leg, held at the Olympic Stadium, ended in a captivating 3-3 draw. Inter took the lead with goals from Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries, but Barcelona responded with strikes from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres. In the second half, Dumfries scored again, only for an own goal from Inter's goalkeeper Yann Sommer to level the score once more.
Last night, the action unfolded with Inter striking first in the 21st minute when Thuram's individual run set up Lautaro Martinez for a straightforward finish. Hakan Çalhanoğlu then doubled the lead for Inter with a penalty just before halftime. Barcelona fought back in the second half, with Eric Garcia scoring in the 54th minute, followed by a header from Dani Olmo in the 60th minute to level the match at 2-2.
As the tension rose, Raphinha put Barcelona ahead for the first time in the match with a powerful shot in the 87th minute. However, Inter's Francesco Acerbi scored a dramatic equalizer in the 93rd minute, taking the match into extra time. In the first half of extra time, Inter clinched the win with a goal that sent their fans into a frenzy.
Inter Milan's return to the Champions League final marks their first appearance since 2010, the year they lifted the trophy under the legendary coach José Mourinho. This victory was particularly sweet for the Nerazzurri fans, who celebrated their team's resurgence in European football.
Barcelona's exit from the tournament sparked protests from players regarding some controversial refereeing decisions. Defender Eric Garcia expressed his frustration, stating, "Football was very harsh on us. Once again, we found ourselves down by two goals. The character of this team is amazing." He added, "I don’t know what happens to me in this stadium; every time I visit, for various reasons, something goes wrong for us. We all know what happened with this referee the last time we came here."
Garcia highlighted the team's resilience, saying, "In the second half, we were clearly the better side, but conceding a goal in the 93rd minute is very painful. In extra time, they defended very well." He also dismissed concerns that this defeat would impact their upcoming La Liga clash against Real Madrid, emphasizing, "I don’t think so. We exceeded expectations, and the team came out of this match stronger."
Barcelona's midfielder Pedri also voiced his displeasure with the officiating, calling for UEFA to review the performance of referee Simon Marciniak. "There are many things I don’t understand with him. Every decision seems 50-50 in favor of Inter, and this isn’t the first time this has happened with this referee. UEFA needs to look into this situation," he stated. He further insisted, "The incident with Lamine Yamal and Mkhitaryan was a clear penalty."
As Inter Milan prepares for the final, they await the outcome of the other semi-final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, which promises to be another thrilling encounter. The anticipation is building for what is sure to be an unforgettable match on May 31, where the stakes couldn't be higher.
With their stunning performance against Barcelona, Inter Milan has not only secured their place in history but also reignited their status among Europe's elite clubs. Fans are hopeful that this could be the beginning of a new era for the club, reminiscent of their glory days under Mourinho.
As the football world watches closely, one thing is clear: Inter Milan's journey to the Champions League final has been nothing short of spectacular, and they are ready to seize the moment.
