Italian Serie A giant Inter Milan overcame a tough test by Spanish side Barcelona to beat them 4-3 in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League on April 6, 2025.
The game began with both teams sharing possession and dominating play but the Catalans were caught in a counter-attack when Lautaro Martinez netted the opener with a tap-in finish.
On the brink of the conclusion of the first half, Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi was deemed to have fouled Martinez in the box and Hakan Calhanoglu converted the penalty.
The Catalans returned to the second half with renewed energy and immense pressure when Eric Garcia scored a consolation goal and Dani Olmo leveled the scores in the 60th minute. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer made crucial saves to prevent Barcelona from scoring more.
The Spanish team took the lead in the 87th minute through Raphinha and they were confident of seeing off the tie.
However, during additional time play, Milan’s Francesco Acerbi scored a crucial goal to tie the scores and send the game to extra time.
The Nerazurri’s coach, Simone Inzaghi, who had made a couple of substitutions to bring on fresh legs, was handsomely rewarded when Frattesi scored the winner to make it 4-3 and eliminate the Catalans.
Barcelona’s nine-year drought without a Champions League title continues despite their impressive form this season which many pundits had predicted would see them emerge victorious.
Inter Milan will now face Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain in the finals of the competition at the Allianz Arena in Germany on May 31, 2025.
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