Inter Milan players celebrating         Image credit: Skysports

By Tunji Faleye

In what looked like it was over for Inter Milan, the Nerazzurri booked their place in the UEFA Champions League final, edging past Barcelona in a thrilling encounter at San Siro that ended 4-3 on the night and 7-6 on aggregate.

The match, packed with drama and tension, was ultimately decided in extra time when Davide Frattesi found the net, steering home a decisive goal during the first half of the added 30 minutes.

The tie will be remembered as one of the highest-scoring semi-finals in Champions League history, matching the 7-6 aggregate scoreline of Liverpool’s famous clash with Roma in 2018. After the first leg finished 3-3 at the Estadio Olimpico de Montjuïc, the return fixture delivered a similarly wild ride.

Inter dominated the early stages, racing into a 2-0 lead thanks to a clinical finish from Lautaro Martinez — who had overcome a late fitness scare to start. The Nerazzurri believed they had a chance to extend their advantage further when Martinez went down under a challenge from Pau Cubarsi in the penalty area. Referee Szymon Marciniak initially waved play on, but following a VAR review and consultation with the pitchside monitor, a penalty was awarded, with the video showing Martinez had touched the ball first.

Barcelona responded with determination after the interval. Within minutes of the restart, Eric Garcia volleyed in to cut the deficit, followed shortly by Dani Olmo’s powerful header to draw the match level at 2-2.

Hansi Flick’s team thought they had completed a memorable comeback when Raphinha struck in the 87th minute, pouncing on his own rebound to curl the ball into the far corner and hand Barcelona their first lead of the tie.

But the drama was far from over. Just five minutes later, veteran defender Francesco Acerbi, at 37 years old, bundled in his first-ever European goal to send the contest into extra time.

Inter seized their moment early in the added period, with Frattesi’s composed finish proving to be the final blow in a pulsating semi-final encounter. Barcelona were left heartbroken as the experience and resilience of Inter Milan prevailed on a historic night in Milan.

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