Barcelona and Inter Serve a UCL Classic: 3–3 Thriller, Yamal Shines, Mkhitaryan Inches from Glory
Six goals, drama, magic and controversy — a Champions League semifinal for the ages
If you didn’t watch this match live, find the replay. If you did — watch it again. Barcelona and Inter delivered everything we love about football in this Champions League semifinal clash. An absolute spectacle from start to finish.
Stunned in 33 Seconds: Inter Strike First
Hansi Flick must have worried whether his team had recovered emotionally and physically after their Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid. But even he couldn’t have predicted this start. Barcelona conceded in the 33rd second!
Inter exploited Barça’s high defensive line — a weakness many try to target. Koundé initially seemed to have neutralized the threat, but Barella picked up the loose ball, found Dumfries on the right, and his low cross was backheeled into the net by Marcus Thuram. The Frenchman, just back from injury, scored a stunning goal — possibly the best of this UCL campaign. It helped that Barça’s Martínez slipped at the worst moment.
Barcelona Respond: Relentless Pressing and Yamal’s Brilliance
The Blaugrana immediately pushed forward like a street gang cornering their rival. They pressed hard, regained possession quickly, and dominated territory. Both De Jong and Yamal went down in Inter’s box, but the referee wasn’t convinced.
Then came the twist — Inter scored again, this time from a corner. Dumfries, again involved, volleyed it home after Acerbi’s header fell kindly to him. 2–0.
Yamal Takes Over the Stage
Camp Nou went quiet. Despite over 70% possession, Barça couldn’t break through Inter’s tight central block. But Lamine Yamal refused to fade.
The 17-year-old was electric on the right wing, spinning Dimarco, Mkhitaryan, and Bastoni with ease. Then he created magic: stole the ball from Thuram, beat Mkhitaryan, and fired in off the post. A solo stunner.
He wasn’t done. Minutes later, Yamal danced past Dimarco again and rattled the crossbar. Before halftime, Barcelona equalized — this time without Yamal. Pedri floated a ball into the box, Raphinha headed it back, and Torres beat a sleeping Acerbi to score. He celebrated by miming a sleeping gesture — fitting.
Second-Half Chaos: Tactical Changes and Corner Goals
The break brought changes. Koundé was injured for Barça, Lautaro Martínez limped off for Inter. Flick introduced Araújo at center-back and pushed Martínez wide left.
From that side came Inter’s next big chance — Dimarco missed after a great ball from Bisseck.
Barcelona pushed for a historic comeback, but Inter struck again — once more from a corner. Dumfries headed in his second of the night, rising above Araújo to make it 3–2. Simone Inzaghi was so hyped he ran out of his technical area before the kick.
One-Minute Lead: Barça Equalize Immediately
But Inter’s lead lasted just one minute. Barcelona responded with a clever set-piece: Olmo rolled it to Raphinha outside the box, Yamal dummied it, and the Brazilian blasted it in. A double deflection added drama — the ball hit the bar and then Sommer’s back before going in.
A Game of Inches: Mkhitaryan’s Goal Ruled Out
This game could’ve ended any number of ways. Both teams had chances, the game was wide open. Mkhitaryan scored what looked like the winner — but VAR ruled it offside by mere centimeters.
Yamal kept dazzling, even pulled off a Zidane turn. Inter defended him better in the second half, but he still came close to winning it in the dying minutes. His curling shot hit the crossbar — again.
What a night. What a match. Football at its purest.
Published by Patrick Jane
30.04.2025