UEFA Champions League: Barcelona and Inter Milan Play Out Classic 3-3 Draw
In an exhilarating Champions League semi-final first leg, Barcelona and Inter Milan battled to a dramatic 3-3 draw at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Wednesday night. The match was a showcase of attacking football and record-breaking moments, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
The action kicked off at lightning speed, with Marcus Thuram scoring the fastest-ever semi-final goal in Champions League history just 30 seconds into the match. Inter quickly doubled their lead in the 21st minute when Denzel Dumfries volleyed home a header from Francesco Acerbi, putting the visitors ahead 2-0.
However, Barcelona responded with impressive resilience. Lamine Yamal, at just 17 years old, became the youngest-ever goalscorer in a Champions League semi-final with a stunning solo goal in the 24th minute, curling a shot into the far corner. Ferran Torres then leveled the score just before halftime, converting from close range after a clever assist from Raphinha, making it 2-2 at the break.
The second half saw Inter regain the advantage in the 64th minute when Dumfries scored his second goal of the night, heading in from a corner. Yet, Barcelona quickly equalized again, with Raphinha’s powerful strike hitting the crossbar before deflecting off Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer and into the net just a minute later.
Despite the end-to-end action, neither team could find a winner, resulting in a thrilling 3-3 draw. The match featured numerous standout performances, particularly from Yamal and Raphinha, who both shone brightly for the Catalans.
The match was hailed as an all-time classic, with both teams displaying attacking prowess and defensive frailties. Denzel Dumfries was named Man of the Match for his two goals and overall contribution to Inter’s performance.
With the result, both teams remain in contention as they prepare for the return leg next week.
Barcelona will shift their focus back to La Liga, where they lead the table, while Inter aims to bounce back from recent Serie A defeats.
