06
May
May
INTER MILAN STUN BARCELONA IN EPIC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL THRILLER TO REACH FINAL
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CapitalTimesNews / 2 weeks
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Inter Milan clinched a heart-stopping 7-6 aggregate victory over Barcelona after a pulsating 4-3 extra-time win in their Champions League semi-final second leg, booking their place in a second final in three years. The San Siro erupted in delirium as Davide Frattesi’s 99th-minute strike sealed a historic comeback, capping a night of relentless drama that saw both teams trade blows in a modern European classic. Barcelona appeared to have completed an improbable turnaround when Raphinha smashed home an 88th-minute rebound to put the Catalans 3-2 ahead, only for Inter defender Francesco Acerbi to force extra time with a 93rd-minute equalizer. The hosts then delivered the knockout punch in extra time when Frattesi curled a left-footed finish into the far corner, sending the Nerazzurri faithful into raptures. “I’m very disappointed we’re out, but not with my team’s performance. They gave everything,” said Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, who criticized officiating decisions. “Every 50/50 decision went their way.” The match began with Inter seizing control through Lautaro Martínez’s 21st-minute tap-in before Hakan Çalhanoğlu doubled the advantage from the penalty spot just before halftime. Barcelona’s fightback began when substitute Eric García volleyed home in the 54th minute, followed by Dani Olmo’s header 15 minutes later. Raphinha’s late strike seemed to complete the revival until Acerbi’s dramatic intervention. Inter captain Lautaro Martínez, playing through injury, praised his team’s resilience: “We’ll do all we can to bring Inter back to Europe’s summit.” The match featured heroic goalkeeping from Inter’s Yann Sommer, who made 14 saves across both legs, including crucial stops during Barcelona’s second-half onslaught. Former England striker Wayne Rooney noted, “Some of Sommer’s saves were excellent.” Inter will face either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain in the Munich final on May 31, while Barcelona’s wait for a first Champions League trophy since 2015 continues. The result marks another chapter in Inter’s European resurgence, with veteran defender Acerbi – at 36 – emerging as an unlikely hero alongside match-winner Frattesi. As fireworks lit up the Milanese sky, the Nerazzurri’s thunderous celebrations echoed their status as continental contenders once more.