Inter vs Barcelona LIVE: Champions League result after thrilling seven-goal epic in semi-finals
Inter 4-3 Barcelona (Inter 7-6 on aggregate): The Italian side are through to a second final in three years after a breathless semi-final went to extra time
Inter Milan defeated Barcelona in a Champions League semi-final for the ages, with the Italian side progressing 7-6 on aggregate on a thrilling night at the San Siro.
Barcelona were minutes away from a first Champions League final since 2015 when Raphinha struck in the 87th minute but Francesco Acerbi rescued Inter deep in stoppage time and Davide Frattesi put the hosts 4-3 ahead in extra time to settle a breathless contest.
Last week’s 3-3 draw in the first leg treated fans to one of the best games of the season and the return fixture delivered drama too. Inter took charge as Lautaro Martinez swept the Italians into the lead before they doubled their advantage from the penalty spot, with Hakan Calhanoglu converting.
But like they did in the first leg, Barcelona managed to rally from two goals down. Their comeback was sparked by Eric Garcia, who guided in Gerard Martin’s cross, before Dani Olmo guided a header inside the far post, again set up by Martin.
Raphinha thought he had scored a dramatic winner, but Acerbi levelled at the death to send the semi-final to extra time where Frattesi guided in a calm finish to book a second Champions League final in three years and a meeting with either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in Munich on 31 May.
Follow all the latest reaction from a stunning Champions League semi-final below:
Inter Milan 2-2 Barcelona (agg 5-5)
83 mins: A rare foray into Barca’s 18-yard box and the San Siro roars its appreciation, but Dumfries’ cross from the left is cleared by Araujo before Frattesi can do anything with it.
Olmo, whose bullet header got Barca level, comes off for Fermin Lopez.
Inter Milan 2-2 Barcelona (agg 5-5)
81 mins: Quite the game of two halves. Inter have ten minutes to magic something up, but Barca look the more likely to find a winner. Extra time beckons.
Inter Milan 2-2 Barcelona (agg 5-5)
80 mins: Sommer palms away another Yamal cross from the right. Martin makes his presence known on the left with another darting run but Barca can’t make anything of his weighted pass.
Two more final changes for Inter as Inzaghi runs out of subs: Calhanoglu and Mkhitaryan come off for Zielinski and Frattesi.
CLOSE! Inter Milan 2-2 Barcelona (agg 5-5)
77 mins: Yamal fires in a brilliant curling shot that looks destined for the top corner but Sommer leaps to palm it away!
Inter Milan 2-2 Barcelona (agg 5-5)
75 mins: Inter are looking rather bedraggled. They just cannot keep possession and Barca are punishing them for it every time.
Inigo Martinoz comes off for Araujo as Flick makes a first change.
Inter Milan 2-2 Barcelona (agg 5-5)
71 mins: Lautaro Martinez’s race is run. Taremi and Darmian come on for the captain and Bisseck.
That overturned penalty could be a key moment in this tie. Initially the referee pointed to the spot, but VAR told him to reverse the decision, and Barca will feel hard done by.
No penalty! Inter Milan 2-2 Barcelona (agg 5-5)
70 mins: The referee holds up his thumb and forefinger to indicate how marginal the call was. There’s definitely contact outside, but VAR have determined there wasn’t contact inside the box. Interesting call.
Free-kick for Barca instead, on the edge of the box. Raphinha plays it short to Torres, who plays it back out to Yamal, but his strike takes a hefty deflection to go behind the goal.
Penalty check - Inter Milan 2-2 Barcelona (agg 5-5)
68 mins: Dani Olmo has another chance from a Raphinha pass but instead overthinks it, trying to lay it off for Ferran Torres.
Barca are relentless now, robbing Inter of the ball with ease. Now Mkhitaryan brings down Yamal on the edge of the box and VAR are checking for a penalty!
Inter Milan 2-2 Barcelona (agg 5-5)
64 mins: It’s taken six minutes for Barca to turn this one around. Olmo has another go from range, and who can blame him, but he slips and fires over the bar.
The San Siro is still absolutely bouncing as the crowd will on the home side to get in front again. Lautaro Martinez drives forward and tries to square it to Dumfries, but doesn’t get enough weight on it and Barca clear.
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