Inter edge Barcelona in thriller to reach Champions League final

May 8, 2025

Inter Milan's Davide Frattesi (right) celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Champions League semifinal second leg football match against Barcelona at San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy on Tuesday.

Agency :

Inter Milan advanced to the UEFA Champions League final after a dramatic 4-3 extra-time victory over Barcelona on Tuesday, securing a 7-6 aggregate win in the semifinal second leg at San Siro.
The seven-time finalists, who last reached the title match in 2023, will seek their fourth European crown when they face either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain in the final at Munich’s Allianz Arena on May 31.

Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring in the 21st minute, finishing from close range after Federico Dimarco dispossessed Frenkie de Jong near the touchline, allowing Denzel Dumfries to whip in a precise cross.

Martinez then won a penalty just before halftime after being brought down in the box, and Hakan Calhanoglu converted from the spot to give Inter a 2-0 lead.

Barcelona then mounted a second-half comeback. Gerard Martin’s cross found Eric Garcia, who volleyed in from inside the area in the 54th minute. Six minutes later, Dani Olmo leveled the match with a powerful header, again from a Martin delivery. Raphinha appeared to win it for the visitors in the 87th minute, tapping home a rebound to make it 3-2.