On a night of pure footballing theatre at the Giuseppe Meazza, Inter Milan and Barcelona played out one of the most enthralling UEFA Champions League semi-finals in recent memory. Inter triumphed 4–3 after extra time, securing a 7–6 aggregate victory that booked their place in the final in Munich. The match was a breathless saga of goals, drama, and heroism, culminating in Davide Frattesi's 99th-minute strike that sealed a famous win for the Nerazzurri.
Inter began the second leg with intensity and intent. Buoyed by a solid attacking foundation from the first leg’s 3–3 draw in Barcelona, they seized early control of the game. Lautaro Martínez broke the deadlock in the 21st minute, showing clinical instinct inside the box after a slick move involving Denzel Dumfries and Nicolò Barella. It was the Argentine’s sixth goal of the competition, and it sent the San Siro into raptures. Just 14 minutes later, Hakan Çalhanoğlu doubled Inter’s advantage with a stunning strike from the penalty spot—power, precision, and timing perfectly aligned. Inter, now 5–3 up on aggregate, looked to have one foot in the final.
But Barcelona were never out of it. They responded with determination, pressing higher and moving the ball more urgently. Their breakthrough came in the 54th minute, when Eric García volleyed home from a cross delivered by Gerard Martin, cutting the deficit and reigniting hope. That goal shifted momentum, and Barcelona played the second half with renewed aggression. Dani Olmo, who had been relatively quiet until then, delivered a moment of brilliance in the 64th minute, heading in the equalizer from a well put cross by Gerard Martin. It was now 2–2 on the night, 5–5 on aggregate.
Then came the moment that almost silenced the San Siro. In the 87th minute, Raphinha capped off a masterful performance with a composed finish after his initial was repelled by Sommer. The Brazilian’s goal gave Barcelona a 3–2 lead in the match and a 6–5 aggregate advantage. His contribution was historic—Raphinha equaled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 21 goal contributions in a single Champions League campaign, underlining his evolution into one of Europe’s most dangerous forwards.
Stunned but not broken, Inter mounted one last charge. And in the second minute of stoppage time, Francesco Acerbi, of all people, delivered salvation. The veteran defender—known more for his tackling than scoring—found himself in the right place at the right time, stabbing home after a frantic scramble from a corner. It was his first-ever Champions League goal and one that sent the match into extra time with the aggregate score knotted at 6–6.
The tension was suffocating, the atmosphere electric. Then, in the 99th minute, substitute Davide Frattesi etched his name into Inter folklore. He latched onto a clever low cross from Marcus Thuram and drove a low shot past Wojiech Szczesny, sparking wild celebrations from the Giuseppe Meazza. Barcelona, exhausted and emotionally drained, still continued to chase for the equalizer but Inter held firm for the final 20 minutes, securing a 4–3 victory on the night and one of the most dramatic aggregate wins in Champions League history.
Following Inter Milan's dramatic 4–3 extra-time victory over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League semi-final, both managers shared their thoughts on the match.
Simone Inzaghi (Inter Milan):
Inter's head coach, Simone Inzaghi, lauded his team's resilience and determination. He highlighted the challenges overcome, including injuries to key players like Denzel Dumfries, Lautaro Martínez, and Marcus Thuram. Inzaghi praised Davide Frattesi, who, despite battling pain, scored the decisive goal in extra time. He emphasized the significance of defeating top-tier teams like Bayern Munich and Barcelona en route to the final, stating, "We have beaten the best two sides in Europe to get here."
Hansi Flick (Barcelona):
Barcelona's manager, Hansi Flick, expressed frustration over certain refereeing decisions during the match. He was particularly aggrieved by a penalty awarded to Inter via VAR and the reversal of a Barcelona penalty decision upon review. Flick also pointed out a potential handball and a foul in the build-up to Inter’s equalizer. Despite these grievances, he commended his team's performance and resilience, emphasizing their continued pursuit of improvement and success.
Both managers now turn their attention to the upcoming challenges: Inter prepares for the Champions League final in Munich, while Barcelona focuses on maintaining their lead in LaLiga and the crucial upcoming match against Real Madrid.
In the aftermath, scenes of joy and disbelief played out across Milan. Some fans who had left the stadium at 3–2 down reportedly rushed back in after hearing Acerbi’s equalizer, adding to the mystique of an already legendary evening. Simone Inzaghi’s side now turns their focus to Munich, where they await the winner of PSG vs Arsenal. If this semi-final is any indication, the final promises to be unforgettable.
