Barcelona and Inter Milan delivered a breathtaking 3-3 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final clash on Wednesday night, lighting up the Camp Nou with a thrilling six-goal encounter. It was a match filled with high drama, brilliant individual performances, and momentum swings that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
The game burst into life almost immediately. Within the first minute, Inter Milan stunned the home crowd with a lightning-quick opener. Marcus Thuram pounced on a perfectly delivered ball from Denzel Dumfries and made no mistake with a sharp, clinical finish past Marc-André ter Stegen. It was the dream start for the visitors and a rude awakening for a Barcelona side that had barely touched the ball.
Dumfries pulled off a stunning overhead kick to extend Inter’s lead to 2-0
Buoyed by their early success, Inter continued to apply pressure. Their reward came in the 21st minute when Dumfries, who had already registered an assist, showcased his attacking flair once again. After a clever setup from centre-back Francesco Acerbi, Dumfries executed a spectacular overhead kick to double Inter’s lead. At 2-0 down, Barcelona looked rattled, and the Camp Nou crowd was momentarily silenced.
But if there’s one thing Barcelona has consistently shown throughout this campaign, it’s resilience. The Catalan side found a lifeline just three minutes later. Rising star Lamine Yamal cut through the Inter defence and calmly slotted the ball into the net, reducing the deficit and reigniting belief among the fans. Yamal’s goal not only brought Barcelona back into the game but also signaled a shift in momentum.
Barcelona capitalized on that momentum before halftime. In the 38th minute, Raphinha drove forward down the right wing and delivered a low cross into the box. Ferran Torres, timing his run to perfection, met the ball and placed it beyond goalkeeper Yann Sommer to bring the scoreline to 2-2. The equalizer sent the stadium into a frenzy and set up a second half full of promise.
After the break, both teams continued to push for an advantage, refusing to sit back. Inter were the first to strike in the second period, reclaiming the lead in the 64th minute. A well-worked corner routine ended with Hakan Çalhanoğlu picking out Dumfries in the box. The Dutch wing-back made no mistake, nodding in his second of the night and restoring Inter’s lead at 3-2. Çalhanoğlu, who had earlier picked up a yellow card in the 59th minute for a tactical foul, proved instrumental once again.
Yet Inter’s joy was fleeting. Just a minute after Dumfries’ second, Barcelona struck back in dramatic fashion. Raphinha, who had already provided an assist, let fly from outside the box with a powerful drive. The shot ricocheted off the post and hit Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer before trickling into the net. Though it went down as an own goal by Sommer, it was Raphinha’s effort that caused the chaos and brought the match level at 3-3.
The rollercoaster continued with more cards and close calls. Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsí received a yellow card in the 70th minute for a mistimed challenge, one of several bookings in an increasingly tense affair. Despite both teams creating additional opportunities, neither could find a decisive goal in the final 20 minutes.
As the final whistle blew, both sides were left to reflect on a contest that showcased attacking brilliance and defensive vulnerability in equal measure. Inter will be satisfied with scoring three away goals but may rue their inability to hold onto the lead—twice. Barcelona, meanwhile, will take confidence from their comeback and the performance of their young talents, particularly Yamal and Raphinha, heading into the second leg.
With the tie finely balanced at 3-3, all eyes will now turn to the return leg in Milan, where another epic showdown is expected. Both clubs remain in contention for a place in the Champions League final, and if this first encounter is anything to go by, fans can expect more fireworks when these two giants meet again.