Inter Secures Dramatic 4-3 Victory Over Barcelona in UEFA Champions League Semifinal
Inter Milan advances to the Champions League final after an exhilarating comeback win over FC Barcelona.
In a thrilling UEFA Champions League semifinal return leg, Inter Milan triumphed over FC Barcelona with a score of 4-3 after extra time, sealing their place in the final.
The match took place at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan amidst high expectations following a tightly contested first leg that ended 3-3.
Inter established early dominance, taking the lead through Lautaro Martínez in the 21st minute, who benefited from a setup by Denzel Dumfries after Federico Dimarco intercepted a pass from Dani Olmo.
Just before the half-time, Inter's Hakan Calhanoglu converted a penalty awarded for a foul on Pau Cubarsí, doubling their lead to 2-0.
The second half saw a rapid turnaround as Barcelona made a strong comeback, scoring two goals in quick succession.
Eric García netted the first for Barcelona in the 54th minute from a cross delivered by Gerard Martín. Shortly after, Dani Olmo equalized in the 59th minute, capitalizing on another assist from Martín, bringing the match to a tantalizing 2-2.
As the match continued, Inter's intent to regain control was thwarted when Raphinha scored in the 87th minute, overtaking Inter with a goal that resulted from a counterattack, making it 3-2. However, in a dramatic twist, Inter salvaged the game with a goal from Francesco Acerbi in the dying moments of regular time, equalizing in the 93rd minute from Denzel Dumfries' assist, forcing the match into extra time.
The pace slowed during extra time, but Inter found the crucial goal in the 99th minute, as Davide Frattesi placed a precise shot into the bottom corner, putting Inter ahead 4-3. Despite Barcelona's efforts to equalize again, including a powerful shot that Sommer saved, the match ended without further alterations to the scoreline.
This match highlights the resilience of Inter, who will advance to the Champions League final for the first time since 2010. The teams featured notable players such as Barcelona's Wojciech Szczęsny, and Inter's Yann Sommer, among others.
Match Details:
- Competition: UEFA Champions League Semifinal, Return Leg
- Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan
- Final Score: Inter Milan 4 - 3 FC Barcelona
- Goalscorers: Lautaro Martínez (21'), Hakan Calhanoglu (45' [pen]), Francesco Acerbi (93'), Davide Frattesi (99') for Inter; Eric García (54'), Dani Olmo (59'), Raphinha (87') for Barcelona.
Match Officials: Referee Szymon Marciniak (Poland).
Starting Lineups:
INTER: Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mhitarjan, Dimarco; Lautaro Martínez, M. Thuram.
BARCELONA: Szczęsny; Eric García, Cubarsí, Inigo Martínez, Gerard Martín; F. de Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha; Ferran Torres.
The match took place at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan amidst high expectations following a tightly contested first leg that ended 3-3.
Inter established early dominance, taking the lead through Lautaro Martínez in the 21st minute, who benefited from a setup by Denzel Dumfries after Federico Dimarco intercepted a pass from Dani Olmo.
Just before the half-time, Inter's Hakan Calhanoglu converted a penalty awarded for a foul on Pau Cubarsí, doubling their lead to 2-0.
The second half saw a rapid turnaround as Barcelona made a strong comeback, scoring two goals in quick succession.
Eric García netted the first for Barcelona in the 54th minute from a cross delivered by Gerard Martín. Shortly after, Dani Olmo equalized in the 59th minute, capitalizing on another assist from Martín, bringing the match to a tantalizing 2-2.
As the match continued, Inter's intent to regain control was thwarted when Raphinha scored in the 87th minute, overtaking Inter with a goal that resulted from a counterattack, making it 3-2. However, in a dramatic twist, Inter salvaged the game with a goal from Francesco Acerbi in the dying moments of regular time, equalizing in the 93rd minute from Denzel Dumfries' assist, forcing the match into extra time.
The pace slowed during extra time, but Inter found the crucial goal in the 99th minute, as Davide Frattesi placed a precise shot into the bottom corner, putting Inter ahead 4-3. Despite Barcelona's efforts to equalize again, including a powerful shot that Sommer saved, the match ended without further alterations to the scoreline.
This match highlights the resilience of Inter, who will advance to the Champions League final for the first time since 2010. The teams featured notable players such as Barcelona's Wojciech Szczęsny, and Inter's Yann Sommer, among others.
Match Details:
- Competition: UEFA Champions League Semifinal, Return Leg
- Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan
- Final Score: Inter Milan 4 - 3 FC Barcelona
- Goalscorers: Lautaro Martínez (21'), Hakan Calhanoglu (45' [pen]), Francesco Acerbi (93'), Davide Frattesi (99') for Inter; Eric García (54'), Dani Olmo (59'), Raphinha (87') for Barcelona.
Match Officials: Referee Szymon Marciniak (Poland).
Starting Lineups:
INTER: Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mhitarjan, Dimarco; Lautaro Martínez, M. Thuram.
BARCELONA: Szczęsny; Eric García, Cubarsí, Inigo Martínez, Gerard Martín; F. de Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha; Ferran Torres.
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