In a match that will be remembered for years, Inter Milan secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League final with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Barcelona at San Siro, winning the semi-final 7-6 on aggregate. The second leg took place on Tuesday night in Milan, turning into a breathtaking football drama filled with goals, comebacks, and emotional moments.
Both teams had already delivered a stunning first leg just six days earlier, ending in a 3-3 draw in Barcelona. But the return match somehow topped it in intensity and spectacle. The crowd of over 70,000 at San Siro witnessed a football masterpiece that matched the record for most goals in a Champions League semi-final, first set by Liverpool and Roma in 2018.
Early Goals and Shocking Comebacks
Inter started strong in front of their home fans, leading 2-0 by halftime. At that point, the aggregate score was 5-3. But Barcelona stormed back after the break. In just over 30 minutes, they netted three goals, with Raphinha giving them the lead in the 87th minute. For a brief moment, Barcelona had one foot in the final.
Then came a twist worthy of football folklore. Veteran defender Francesco Acerbi, at age 37, scored his first-ever European goal in the 89th minute, tying the aggregate at 6-6 and sending the game into extra time.
Frattesi Delivers the Decisive Blow
With fatigue setting in and the tension sky-high, Inter’s substitute Davide Frattesi became the unlikely hero. Just minutes into extra time, he scored the winning goal, making it 7-6 overall and sending Inter fans into jubilation.
“I don’t even know what happened,” Frattesi said after the match. “I celebrated so hard that my head was spinning. It felt like a dream.”
His strike was the final blow in a match that tested every player’s mental and physical strength. As Polish referee Szymon Marciniak blew the final whistle at 23:38 local time, Inter’s players collapsed to the ground in pure exhaustion and joy. They stayed on the pitch for nearly 20 minutes, soaking in the applause from their passionate supporters.
Alan Shearer: “Pure Joy from Start to Finish”
Former England striker and football pundit Alan Shearer was at San Siro and called the match “pure joy from start to finish.” He added, “It was a real pleasure to witness something so special. Both teams gave us a football spectacle full of quality, courage, and emotion.”
Inter’s journey to the final has been anything but easy. Before facing Barcelona, they knocked out Bayern Munich, another European powerhouse. Head coach Simone Inzaghi praised his players for their grit and determination. “It was an amazing night shared with fans, staff, and families,” he said.
From Defense to Dogfight
Inter’s Champions League run had been built on defense. Before the semi-final, they had kept eight clean sheets, with goalkeeper Yann Sommer earning seven of them. But against Barcelona, they were dragged into an all-out goal fight. Over 210 minutes, they conceded more goals to Barcelona than in all previous matches of the tournament combined.
Barcelona fired 22 shots in the second leg alone and controlled possession during large stretches of the game. Yet Inter found a way, thanks to key performances from players like Denzel Dumfries, who tallied two goals and three assists across both legs.
Inter Sets Eyes on Munich Final
Inter Milan will now face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in the Champions League final on 31 May in Munich. PSG currently leads their tie 1-0 ahead of the second leg in France.
The last time Inter won the Champions League was in 2010, under the leadership of Jose Mourinho. That victory marked the last time an Italian club lifted the trophy. With Real Madrid and Manchester City out of the picture, Inter are now seen as a serious contender to end Italy’s 15-year European title drought.
Opta Analytics had ranked Inter only third behind Madrid and City at the start of the season. But Inter’s current form, their 16-match unbeaten run at home in Europe, and their mental toughness have proven that this is a team on a mission.
This unforgettable night at San Siro was not just a win; it was a statement. Inter Milan showed the world that resilience, belief, and teamwork can overcome even the fiercest opponents. As their fans begin planning their trip to Munich, one thing is clear: Inter is back at the top of European football.