Inter vs Barca semi-final: The game nobody wanted to end

Thursday, 8 May 2025 02:37 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

“It gave us everything. From start to finish last week to this week, everything about this semi-final has been pure entertainment,” said Alan Shearer.

For the second time in six days, Inter Milan and Barcelona served up a European classic as the champions of Italy won 4-3 on the night – 7-6 on aggregate – to reach the Champions League final.

In a thriller that will be remembered for years to come, Barca had trailed 2-0 and 3-2 in the first leg in Catalonia before salvaging a 3-3 draw.

On Tuesday in Milan, they were then 2-0 behind at half-time – 5-3 on aggregate – before scoring three times without reply. Raphinha’s 87th-minute strike was the first time Barca had taken the lead on aggregate but Francesco Acerbi’s first European goal at the age of 37 took an utterly absorbing tie into extra time, with substitute Davide Frattesi scoring the winner to send more than 70,000 Inter fans inside the San Siro into raptures.

It was the joint highest-scoring Champions League semi-final ever, with the 13 goals equalling the 2018 semi-final when Liverpool also defeated Roma 7-6 on aggregate.

Inter will face either Paris St-Germain or Arsenal – who meet in the other semi-final in France on Wednesday (20:00 BST) – after one of the great modern classics.

PSG lead 1-0 from the first leg.

No neutrals wanted this tie full of twists and turns to end but, when Polish referee Szymon Marciniak sounded the final whistle at 23:38 local time, Inter Milan’s players sank to their knees exhausted but triumphant.

They remained on the pitch for a good 15 to 20 minutes after full-time to show their appreciation to their delirious fans, who can start booking flights and hotels for the final in Munich on 31 May.

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