In an electrifying UEFA Champions League semifinal first-leg encounter, Barcelona and Inter Milan played out a pulsating 3-3 draw at Camp Nou on Wednesday night, setting up a dramatic return leg in Milan next week. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous opportunities, Barcelona were forced to settle for a draw by a clinical Inter side that capitalized on set pieces and counterattacks.
Inter Milan drew first blood within minutes of kickoff when Marcus Thuram back-heeled a cross from Denzel Dumfries into the net. Dumfries, who would go on to score a brace, followed up with a stunning bicycle kick in the 21st minute to put Inter ahead 2-0. However, Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal reignited his side’s hopes with a superb curling shot off the post in the 24th minute after weaving through defenders. It was a statement goal in his 100th appearance for the club.
The Catalan side continued to press forward and found the equalizer in the 38th minute, when Ferran Torres converted a headed pass from Raphinha. Inter regained their lead early in the second half through another Dumfries header from a corner, even as star striker Lautaro Martínez exited the match with an injury.
Barcelona responded instantly. Raphinha unleashed a thunderbolt from outside the box that ricocheted off the bar and the back of Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer before nestling into the net to make it 3-3. Despite enjoying 66% possession and attempting 10 shots on target compared to Inter’s three, Barcelona were unable to find a winner.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick praised Yamal’s contribution, calling him a “fantastic player” who shined in a high-stakes match. Inter manager Simone Inzaghi was pleased with his team’s resilience, saying, “We saw a fantastic match… and we know that Tuesday will be a final.”
This six-goal thriller tied the record for the highest-scoring draw in a Champions League semifinal since Bayern Munich and Dynamo Kiev in 1999. Barcelona, eyeing their first UCL final since 2015 and seeking a treble in Flick’s debut season, now face a tense return leg. Inter Milan, meanwhile, hope to make their second final appearance in three years, having last lifted the European title in 2010 after beating Barcelona at this same stage.
The winner of this two-legged tie will battle either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in the final in Munich on May 31. PSG currently lead that tie 1-0 following their victory in London.
