Champions League: Inter Milan break Barcelona hearts in thriller, reach final-OxBig News Network

It needed 13 goals and, extra time in the second leg to separate Inter Milan and Barcelona in the first semi-final of the 2024-25 Champions League on Tuesday, 6 May. At San Siro, Inter Milan produced one of the most resilient displays seen on a football field, sending the home crowd into raptures as they won the second leg 4-3 and the tie 7-6 on aggregate, booking their place in the final of Europe’s elite club competition for the second time in the last three years.

The heroes for Inter Milan were 37-year-old Francesco Acerbi, who equalised in stoppage time, substitute Davide Frattesi, who scored the winner in extra time, and goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who made 14 saves across the two legs to deny Barcelona’s highly rated attack.

“It was a crazy game. I am really proud of this team. We were already out, then we came back — amazing,” said Sommer, who was named Player of the Match.

“You don’t get a lot of chances to go to a final. We knew in those last four minutes of extra time, this was our last chance. We put everything on the pitch. We are very happy, and I am looking forward to the final.”

INTER UP 2-0 AT BREAK

Simone Inzaghi’s Inter began the match assertively, taking the lead in the 21st minute through Lautaro Martnez, who capitalised on a swift counterattack. Just before half-time, Hakan alhanolu extended Inter’s lead to 2-0 by converting a penalty after Pau Cubars brought down Martnez inside the box. What initially looked like a fine tackle was deemed a foul after a VAR review.

Even though Inter headed into the break with a 2-0 lead in the second leg, concerns were raised about their ability — or lack thereof — to withstand sustained pressure from Barcelona in the second half. With an ageing squad, Inter looked the more fatigued of the two teams on the pitch at the end of the first 45 minutes.

As expected, Hansi Flick’s men responded in style. Eric Garca reduced the deficit in the 54th minute, and Dani Olmo levelled the score on the hour mark. In the 87th minute, Raphinha’s close-range finish gave Barcelona a 3-2 lead on the night and a 6-5 advantage on aggregate, seemingly turning the tie in their favour.

AN UNLIKELY HERO FOR INTER

The mood in Milan told its own story as home supporters were visibly dejected, clinging to hope for a miracle in stoppage time.

And the miracle arrived.

Francesco Acerbi emerged as the unlikely hero. In the 93rd minute, Acerbi scored his first European goal in his 20th season, firing a first-time effort into the net after a pass from Denzel Dumfries, sending the match into extra time.

Acerbi was overcome with emotion at the final whistle as he celebrated arguably one of the biggest moments of his storied career.

In the 99th minute of extra time, substitute Davide Frattesi scored the decisive goal for Inter Milan. After a brilliant run from Marcus Thuram down the right flank, Frattesi received the ball and guided a curling shot into the bottom corner, sealing the win for Inter on a dramatic night.

For Barcelona and their wunderkind Lamine Yamal, it was a bitter pill to swallow as they let slip a game that appeared firmly in their grasp after sensational fightbacks in both legs.

Inter will now face the winner of the second semi-final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain in the grand final on May 31.