Inter Milan advanced to the UEFA Champions League final after a breathtaking 4-3 extra-time victory over Barcelona at San Siro on Tuesday, securing a 7-6 aggregate win in a semifinal for the ages.
Lautaro Martinez ignited the match in the 21st minute, tapping in a precise cross from Denzel Dumfries after Federico Dimarco had expertly dispossessed Frenkie de Jong. Just before halftime, Martinez was fouled in the box, and Hakan Calhanoglu confidently converted the penalty to give Inter a 2-0 lead.
Barcelona stormed back in the second half. In the 54th minute, Eric Garcia volleyed home a cross from Gerard Martin to cut the deficit. Six minutes later, Dani Olmo soared to head in another assist from Martin, leveling the score at 2-2. The momentum swung in Barcelona’s favor when Raphinha tapped in a rebound in the 87th minute, making it 3-2 and seemingly sealing their passage to the final.
But Inter refused to relent. Deep into stoppage time, Dumfries sent a low cross into the box, and Francesco Acerbi fired it into the net, forcing extra time amidst roaring cheers from the home crowd.
The decisive moment arrived in the 99th minute. Marcus Thuram dashed down the right wing and delivered a cut-back to Mehdi Taremi, who laid it off to Davide Frattesi. The Italian midfielder curled a sublime shot into the far corner, clinching Inter’s spot in the final.
The tie, brimming with excitement, produced 13 goals—equalling the record for the most in a Champions League knockout round matchup. Inter Milan, seeking their fourth European crown after previous triumphs in 1964, 1965, and 2010, will face either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain at Munich’s Allianz Arena on May 31.
Barcelona, five-time European champions, were denied a return to the final for the first time since 2015, ending their dramatic campaign on a heartbreaking note.
