Barcelona and Inter Milan played out a pulsating 3-3 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, setting up a tantalizing return clash in Milan next week.
Inter started with intent and raced into a two-goal lead through Marcus Thuram’s audacious back-heel finish just 30 seconds in — the fastest goal ever in a Champions League semi-final — and a stunning acrobatic strike by Denzel Dumfries. But Barcelona, powered by the electric Lamine Yamal, refused to fold.
The 16-year-old sensation, making his 100th appearance for the club, dragged Barca back into the match with a breathtaking solo goal — becoming the youngest scorer in a Champions League semi-final in the process. Yamal weaved past defenders and curled the ball in off the post with a finish reminiscent of Lionel Messi, whose shadow he continues to dance out from.
Barcelona found parity through Ferran Torres after Raphinha headed a Pedri cross back across goal, capping off a wild first half.
Inter struck again after the break, as Dumfries’ header ricocheted off Dani Olmo and into the net via goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s back. But parity was quickly restored when Raphinha’s thunderous shot rebounded off the bar and struck Sommer, resulting in an unfortunate own goal.
Raphinha acknowledged the defensive lapses but praised Inter’s quality: “Letting in that many goals here is unacceptable, but we also have to give Inter credit — they did very well,” he said.
Despite recent domestic struggles, Inter displayed grit and flair. “After three defeats in a row, we saw the real Inter tonight,” said Dumfries. “We played with heart — I’m proud.”
Yamal remained a constant threat, striking the bar twice and tormenting Inter’s defense throughout the night. The match was not without casualties, as Jules Kounde and Lautaro Martinez both limped off with injuries.
A brilliant recovery tackle by Pau Cubarsi denied Thuram late on, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan had a potential winner ruled out for a marginal offside.
With everything still to play for, both sides will meet again in Milan next Tuesday, with a spot in the final against either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal on the line.