Inter is in the UEFA Champions League final. © APA/afp / MARCO BERTORELLO

Semifinal of the century! Inter breaks Barça hearts late

Inter are in the UEFA Champions League final. The Nerazzurri prevailed against FC Barcelona in a dramatic semifinal second leg on Tuesday evening, breaking the Catalans' hearts in extra time.

06 May 2025

From: sn/dpa

Inter ended FC Barcelona's treble dream and reached the Champions League final in Munich. One week after the spectacular 3-3 first-leg draw, the reigning Italian champions beat Barça 4-3 (3-3, 2-0) after extra time. Davide Frattesi sealed the victory in the 99th minute on another memorable evening of football.

Lautaro Martinez (21st minute), former Bundesliga pro Hakan Calhanoglu (45th+1st minute) from the penalty spot, and Francesco Acerbi (90th+3rd minute) scored in regular time for Inter, who are in the Champions League final just like in 2023. Defender Eric Garcia (54th minute), former Leipzig player Dani Olmo (60th minute), and Raphinha (87th minute) had temporarily turned the thrilling game, with its many twists and turns, around.

Inter now against PSG or Arsenal

Two years ago, Inter lost to Manchester City in the final. This time, the Nerazzurri will face Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal on May 31st. The Milanese eliminated FC Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick can also win the league title with the Catalans after winning the Spanish Cup. However, the 2020-year-old's dream of winning all three major titles, as he did with FC Bayern in 60, remains eluded, at least this season.

Martinez back – and directly in focus

A week after the full-throttle event in Barcelona, ​​both teams began the match with a somewhat more controlled start. After just over 20 minutes, however, Inter star Martinez caused a frenzy in the venerable Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. Martinez, of all people. After being forced off injured in the first leg, the Argentine World Cup winner's start had been an open question. After Federico Dimarco won the ball strongly in midfield, the hosts moved quickly: Denzel Dumfries crossed from the edge of the penalty area, and Martinez, Inter's captain and emotional leader, slotted home the opener.

Lautaro Martinez was once again in the spotlight. © ANSA / Daniel Dal Zennaro

Barça tried to respond quickly, but the Catalans' attacking moves lacked the necessary precision. Exceptional talent Lamine Yamal occasionally attempted his fearsome dribbles, but found Inter's defense more difficult to deal with this evening than last week. Shortly before half-time, Barça suffered another setback: after initially missing a great opportunity (41'), former Hamburg and Leverkusen player Calhanoglu scored from the penalty spot to make it 2-0. Pau Cubarsi fouled Martinez in the visitors' penalty area. Referee Szymon Marciniak from Poland reviewed the scene following a tip-off from the video assistant referee and awarded a penalty – much to Flick's annoyance.

Two Barça goals in six minutes

In the second half, both teams gave themselves virtually no rest. Eric Garcia scored with a direct shot to level the score. The game then went back and forth. Former Bundesliga goalkeeper Yann Sommer prevented the defender from scoring again with a world-class save (57'), before Barcelona's Olmo equalized with a header.

With a good 20 minutes remaining, referee Marciniak initially awarded a penalty, but then a free kick to Barça after a foul by Henrich Mkhitaryan on Yamal. In the closing stages, events unfolded again: Raphinha scored on a follow-up to make it 3-2 for the Spanish side, Yamal then hit the post (90+3) – and then Inter's Acerbi actually made it 3-3.

Francesco Acerbi saved Inter's victory in extra time. © APA/afp / PIERO CRUCIATTI

In extra time, Barça hoped for a fresh impetus from their substitute striker Robert Lewandowski, who had recently been injured. But Inter's substitute came on as a substitute: Frattesi's low shot made it 4-3, which the visitors couldn't find a response to despite their best efforts, ending Flick's treble dream.

UEFA Champions League, semi-final second leg

Inter – FC Barcelona 4:3 aet (2:0, 3:3)
Goals: 1:0 Martinez (21'), 2:0 Calhanoglu (45'+1/penalty), 2:1 Eric (54'), 2:2 Olmo (60'), 2:3 Raphinha (88'), 3:3 Acerbi (90'+3), 4:3 Frattesi (99')