In a match that had fans on the edge of their seats, Inter Milan vs Barcelona ended in a 4-3 win for the Italian side on Tuesday night in Milan, sealing a 7-6 aggregate victory and a place in the UEFA Champions League final. The semi-final was one of the most exciting games in recent memory, filled with drama, comebacks, and goals. Played at the San Siro, it marked the second leg of a tie already filled with action after a 3-3 draw in Barcelona last week.
A Night of Pure Football Drama
Alan Shearer summed up the mood best: “This gave us every emotion. From start to finish, this semi-final delivered pure footballing drama.”
Barcelona had come into the second leg looking strong. But they went down 2-0 in the first half. That gave Inter a 5-3 lead on aggregate. However, the Spanish side fought back. They scored three times, with Raphinha’s goal in the 87th minute putting them ahead 6-5 overall.
San Siro was silent—until Francesco Acerbi, at 37 years old, scored his first European goal. It came at the perfect moment, just before full time. The goal tied the aggregate score again and sent the match into extra time.
Then came Davide Frattesi. The substitute scored in extra time, giving Inter a 7-6 lead. Over 70,000 fans exploded with joy. Barcelona pushed hard until the final whistle, but Inter held on.
One of the Highest-Scoring Semi-Finals Ever
This match tied the record for most goals in a Champions League semi-final. The only other tie to hit 13 goals was Liverpool vs Roma in 2018.
Barcelona took 22 shots on the night. Ten were on target. They had more of the ball and more passes completed. But Inter showed heart and grit.
“It was like watching two heavyweight boxers go toe-to-toe,” said a Sky Sports analyst. “Every time one landed a punch, the other hit back.”
The Crowd and Emotions
When the final whistle blew at 23:38 local time, players fell to the ground. Some cried. Some looked in disbelief. Inter’s squad stayed on the pitch for a long time, soaking in the cheers.
Coach Simone Inzaghi called it “a magical night.” He said, “This was for the fans, the club, and our families. These players made history tonight.”
Fans chanted, waved flags, and cried tears of joy. After years of waiting, Inter Milan is back in the final.
Key Players and Stats
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Denzel Dumfries played a major role. He had two goals and three assists across both legs.
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Yann Sommer, Inter’s Swiss goalkeeper, had kept seven clean sheets before this tie. He faced his biggest test yet against Barcelona’s attack.
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Francesco Acerbi, the oldest outfield player in the match, saved his team with his first goal in European competition.
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Davide Frattesi, the extra-time hero, told reporters, “I don’t even know what just happened. I celebrated so hard, my head was spinning.”
Inter’s Road to the Final
Inter’s journey hasn’t been easy. In the quarter-finals, they beat Bayern Munich. That win alone shocked many fans.
Earlier in the season, betting experts placed Inter behind Real Madrid and Manchester City. But now, with those two teams knocked out, Inter are the highest-ranked team left in the tournament.
They will now face the winner of Paris Saint-Germain vs Arsenal. That game takes place in France on Wednesday. PSG leads 1-0 from the first leg.
Italy Hopes for a New European Champion
Inter last won the Champions League in 2010. That team was led by José Mourinho. Since then, no Italian club has lifted the trophy. Juventus came close twice, but fell short.
With this win, Italy dreams again. “They were out. They were finished,” said Shearer. “Yet they found a way back. They earned this final.”
Inter also made the final in 2023, losing to Manchester City. But they’ve improved since then. They are now unbeaten in their last 16 home Champions League matches. That’s a record not seen since the 1980s.
The final will be played in Munich on 31 May. Inter’s fans will be there in full voice.
This semi-final will be talked about for years. It had everything—goals, tension, twists, and raw emotion. As Frattesi said, “That’s the beauty of football. I’ve always believed, even when no one else did.”