The city of Milan, Italy, was the epicenter of football drama on the evening of May 7, 2025, as Inter Milan faced off against Barcelona in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. After a thrilling first leg that ended in a 3-3 draw at the Camp Nou, the stakes were high for both teams as they vied for a spot in the final. Fans around the world tuned in, eager to see which team would emerge victorious in this high-stakes encounter.
The match took place at the iconic San Siro stadium, where the atmosphere was electric. Inter Milan, looking to capitalize on their home advantage, came out strong. Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a precise shot following a clever assist from Denzel Dumfries. Barcelona, known for their attacking prowess, was quick to respond, but their efforts were stymied by Inter's solid defense.
As the first half progressed, Barcelona sought to equalize but struggled to find their rhythm. They were denied a penalty in the 26th minute when a handball claim against Inter's Francesco Acerbi was waved off by the referee. Inter continued to apply pressure, and in the dying moments of the first half, they doubled their lead. Hakan Calhanoglu converted a penalty awarded after a VAR review confirmed a foul by Pau Cubarsi on Martinez, bringing the score to 2-0 just before the break.
Barcelona entered the second half determined to turn the tide. In the 54th minute, Eric Garcia scored a stunning goal, volleying home a cross from Gerard Martin, igniting hope for the Catalan side. The momentum shifted further in the 60th minute when Dani Olmo leveled the score at 2-2, heading in another well-placed cross from Martin.
As the match wore on, Barcelona took the lead for the first time in the 69th minute. After a brief VAR check, it was confirmed that Lamine Yamal's goal stood, putting Barcelona ahead 3-2. However, the drama was far from over. Inter Milan, refusing to back down, equalized in the dying moments of regulation time. Acerbi found the net again in the 93rd minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Barcelona, sending the match into extra time.
In the first half of extra time, Inter regained control. Just nine minutes in, substitute Davide Frattesi scored, putting Inter ahead 4-3. Despite a valiant effort from Barcelona, including chances from rising star Yamal and veteran Robert Lewandowski, they could not find the equalizer. Inter's goalkeeper, Yann Sommer, made several crucial saves to deny Barcelona's attempts.
Ultimately, the match concluded with Inter Milan triumphing 4-3, securing their place in the Champions League final with a 7-6 aggregate victory over both legs. This marks Inter's seventh appearance in the final, a testament to their resilience and skill. They will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in the final, scheduled for May 31 at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Barcelona, on the other hand, will have to regroup after failing to reach the final for the first time in ten years. Their last title victory came in 2015, and this defeat raises questions about their future in European competition. Coach Hans Flick expressed his disappointment, stating, "We fought hard, but we came up short in crucial moments. We need to learn and come back stronger next season."
As the dust settles on this thrilling encounter, fans and analysts alike will dissect the key moments that defined the match. From Martinez's early goal to the late drama of Acerbi's equalizer, this match will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most exciting in recent Champions League history.
