In a pulsating UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg, Barcelona and Inter Milan delivered a six-goal thriller that ended 3–3, leaving the tie finely balanced ahead of next week’s second leg in Milan.
The game exploded into life almost immediately as Inter Milan stunned the home crowd with a goal just 50 seconds in from Marcus Thuram, capitalising on Barcelona’s slow start. The Nerazzurri doubled their lead in the 21st minute when Denzel Dumfries slotted in a second after a sweeping counterattack.
Barcelona, reeling from the early blows, found inspiration in their teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal, who dragged his side back into the contest with a spectacular solo goal that showcased both flair and maturity beyond his years. Minutes later, Ferran Torres netted the equalizer to level the score at 2–2 going into halftime.
The second half resumed with the same intensity. Dumfries restored Inter’s lead with his second of the night, but Barcelona remained undeterred. Their persistence paid off in the 72nd minute when a deflected shot from Raphinha led to an own goal by Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer, once again bringing the match level.
Despite several late chances and a disallowed goal for Inter due to offside, the scoreline held firm at 3–3—a result that sets up a tantalizing second leg at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 6, 2025.
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Lamine Yamal makes history
The night belonged to Lamine Yamal, who at 17 years and 291 days, became the youngest player in Barcelona history to reach 100 appearances, surpassing Gavi. He also etched his name into European football history as the youngest scorer ever in a Champions League semi-final, breaking Kylian Mbappé’s previous record.
Yamal’s electric dribbling, vision, and composure under pressure drew widespread praise, with fans and pundits alike drawing comparisons to Lionel Messi. In a performance that blended youthful audacity with elite-level quality, Yamal was a constant threat and the heartbeat of Barcelona’s attack.
