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:
GOAL! Inter Milan 1-0 Barcelona (agg 4-3)
22 mins: Inter get the breakthrough!
Dimarco steals the ball as Inter do so well and passes it through Barca’s high line to Dumfries; the Dutchman lays it off for Lautaro Martinez and the captain slots home!
Inter Milan 0-0 Barcelona (agg 3-3)
20 mins: Inter show some attacking intent now, Bastoni finds Mkhitaryan down the left, who lays it off for Lautaro Martinez - but Inigo Martinez gets an outstretched toe to it and blasts it beyond the byline.
The hosts gets a couple of corners; the first is cleared, the second one Dimarco plays short to Calhanoglu, who fires it vaguely goalward and secures another corner. Nothing comes of that one either.
Inter Milan 0-0 Barcelona (agg 3-3)
16 mins: First attempt on goal at the 15-minute mark. Barca knock it about a bit near the Inter area and Yamal has a go from the edge of the box, but it’s straight at Sommer.
Inter press down the right flank and work it to Thuram in the centre, but his attempt is poor too, and he shakes his head in frustration.
Not a classic so far, but plenty of time for that to change.
Inter Milan 0-0 Barcelona (agg 3-3)
14 mins: This is a little cagey, especially compared to last week’s madness.
Barca’s offside trap works again as Lautaro Martinez threads a pass through to Thuram, who’s through on goal. Szczesny waits, waits, waits, and times it well to collect - but the flag finally goes up anyway.
Inter Milan 0-0 Barcelona (agg 3-3)
10 mins: Barcelona have started the stronger here. Yamal dances past Mkhitaryan as the visitors string together a lovely series of passes; Martin crosses into the box but Inter head it clear.
Now Dumfries counters, doing well to shrug off his man under serious pressure from Martin, but he hesitates for too long with Thuram available in the box and just rolls the ball tamely to Szczesny.
Inter Milan 0-0 Barcelona (agg 3-3)
5 mins: Inzaghi said beforehand that Inter would target Lamine Yamal and Dimarco has not one but two goes at the youngster as he glides down the right, both times denied by Yamal’s pace, and concedes a free-kick.
Now Yamal tries to thread the ball through to Raphinha in the box, but it goes behind for a goal kick.
Inter Milan 0-0 Barcelona (agg 3-3)
1 min: Early pressure by Barca; Ferran Torres gets into space on the right side of the box and has a punt, but the offside flag goes up.
KICK-OFF: Inter Milan vs Barcelona (agg 3-3)
Inter have never lost a home leg of a Champions League or European Cup semi-final.
Is tonight the night Barca end that streak?
We’re underway at the San Siro!
Reminder of team news and how to watch Inter v Barcelona
Inter Milan XI: Sommer, Dumfries, Thuram, Lautaro Martinez, Acerbi, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Barella, Bisseck, Dimarco, Bastoni.
Substitutes: Di Gennaro, J. Martinez, De Vrij, Zielinski, Arnautovic, Frattesi, Asllani, Carlos Augusto, Darmian, Re Cecconi, Zalewski, Taremi.
Barcelona XI: Szczesny, Eric Grcia, Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Gerard Martin, De Jong, Pedri, Yamal, Olmo Raphinha, Ferran Torres.
Substitutes: Inaki Pena, Astralaga, Araujo, Gavi, Lewandowski, Fati, Christensen, Fermin Lopez, Pau Victor, Fort, Farre, Darvich.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the action live on Amazon Prime Video,
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