New Delhi: Inter Milan advanced to their second UEFA Champions League final in three years as Davide Frattesi’s curling extra-time strike proved to be the difference in one of the most pulsating knockout ties in the tournament’s history, winning the second leg against Barcelona 4-3 after extra time, and the tie 7-6 on aggregate.
After last week’s thrilling 3-3 draw in Barca’s home ground, there were expectations of another memorable encounter but none could have envisaged the ebb and flow during 120 minutes of action at the San Siro stadium.
Lautaro Martinez put the ball into an empty net in the 21st minute for his eighth goal in his last seven Champions League matches to put the hosts 1-0 ahead on the night after Federico Dimarco won the ball and sent in to Denzel Dumfries, who squared it for an unmarked striker.
Just before half-time Inter doubled their advantage when Hakan Calhanoglu slammed home from the penalty spot after Pau Cubarso was adjudged to have tripped Martinez in the box after a VAR check.
But just like in the first leg, Barca fought back. Right-back Eric Garcia began the turnaround with a booming volley from Gerard Martin’s cross and again came close moments later, only to be denied by Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer, in one of his multiple-match turning saves, from close range.
Eric García // Frattesi // Acerbi // Olmo ⚽
Incredible drama and incredible goals 👏@Heineken | #UCLGOTD pic.twitter.com/CBguF9Q7DQ
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 6, 2025
Three minutes later, Barca equalised with Dani Olmo’s strong header from an accurate Martin ball to level it at 5-5 on aggregate.
Raphinha seemed to have scored the match-winner when he slotted into the bottom corner for his 13th goal of the campaign, putting the visitors ahead in the tie for the first time.
But veteran defender Francesco Acerbi guided the ball into the roof of the net in the third minuted of added time to force the tie into extra time and Inter regained lead in the 100th minute as Davide Frattesi curled his side into a 7-6 aggregate lead with his left foot.
Yet Barca didn’t bog down as Sommer had to produce one top save after another to deny the exceptional Lamine Yamal and book their place in the final in Munich on 31 May.
“I’m very happy, we played an incredible match. Which save will I remember? The last one on Lamine Yamal; he is a great player and fortunately it didn’t go in. Many teams would have given up after going down 3-2 but we didn’t, and managed to come back,” Sommer said.
“What happened? I don’t know! I celebrated so loudly that my head was spinning. I thought I would never experience anything like this again in terms of emotions. But that’s the beauty of football. It’s part of my career; I’ve always been the first to believe and the last to give up,” Frattesi said.
Inter Milan advanced to their second UEFA Champions League final in three years as they won the second leg of their semi-final against Barcelona 4-3 after extra time, and the tie 7-6 on aggregate. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
