Inter Milan produced one of the most dramatic turnarounds in UEFA Champions League history, edging out Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate after extra time in a pulsating semi-final at the San Siro.
Trailing 3-2 on the night and seconds away from elimination, veteran defender Francesco Acerbi sparked wild celebrations by smashing home a 92nd-minute equaliser to level the tie at 6-6.
Inter’s comeback was complete in the first half of extra time when substitute Davide Frattesi curled a left-footed strike into the bottom corner to seal a 7-6 aggregate win. Frattesi then climbed a security fence to celebrate with the ecstatic home supporters.
The result sends three-time European champions Inter into their second final in three seasons. They will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena on 31 May.
Barcelona, seeking a first final in a decade, looked set for Istanbul after turning a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead with just three minutes of normal time remaining. Raphinha’s 87th-minute goal had seemingly won it after earlier strikes from Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo wiped out Inter’s early advantage.
The night had started with Inter flying out of the blocks once again, as Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring before Hakan Calhanoglu slotted in a penalty to make it 5-3 on aggregate by half-time.
Martinez’s goal was his ninth in the competition this season – the most ever by an Inter player in a single Champions League campaign.
But Barcelona boss Hansi Flick’s side dominated the second half, producing a stunning fightback to lead for the first time in the tie.
Lamine Yamal, just 18 years old, came close to salvaging the tie in stoppage time and again in extra time, but was twice denied by superb reflex saves from Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who played a key role in preserving the aggregate win.
The 13-goal tie equalled the record for the highest-scoring semi-final in the competition’s history, matching Liverpool’s 7-6 aggregate win over Roma in 2018.
Inter fans unveiled a spectacular tifo before kick-off and were rewarded with one of the most unforgettable nights in the club’s history. Simone Inzaghi, who guided Inter to the 2023 final, is now on the verge of delivering their first Champions League title since José Mourinho’s 2010 triumph.
Barcelona, five-time European champions, will now turn their attention to domestic honours. They lead La Liga by four points and host arch-rivals Real Madrid in Sunday’s El Clasico, having already claimed the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup this season.
But for now, it is Inter Milan who march on to Munich – survivors of a semi-final that will be remembered for its drama, chaos, and glory.
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