Champions League: Barca, Inter clash end in draw

Barcelona and Inter Milan played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final encounter on Wednesday, delivering a captivating night of football drama.

The Italian side made an explosive start, racing into a two-goal lead through fine finishes from Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries, before teenage sensation Lamine Yamal reignited Barcelona’s hopes with a superb solo effort.

Ferran Torres later brought Barcelona level, and although Inter regained the advantage through Dumfries, an own goal by Yann Sommer ensured both sides remained deadlocked ahead of the return leg.

Inter, eager to have Thuram fit for the clash after a thigh injury, saw their gamble pay off when he struck the fastest goal ever recorded in a Champions League semi-final, netting after just 30 seconds. A defensive error by Jules Kounde gifted Inter possession, and Thuram cleverly finished with a back-heel after Inigo Martinez slipped at a crucial moment.

Barcelona responded by dominating possession, with Yamal appealing for a penalty and setting up Torres, whose volley flew wide. The Spaniard, standing in for the injured Robert Lewandowski, was close again moments later.

Inter doubled their lead with Dumfries pouncing on a flicked header from Francesco Acerbi to smash home an acrobatic effort.

However, Barcelona’s resilience showed, especially through the irrepressible Yamal, who carved out a wonderful individual goal three minutes later. Skipping past defenders, the teenager fired an inch-perfect shot off the post to become the youngest scorer in Champions League semi-final history.

Yamal nearly added a second soon after, his sharp effort tipped onto the bar by Sommer. The young winger continued to torment Inter’s defence, creating more chances for Torres and Dani Olmo.

Barcelona found an equaliser after 38 minutes when Pedri picked out Raphinha, whose header across goal was finished by Torres.

The second half saw Inter slow the game down before striking again via another corner, with Dumfries’ header deflecting in off Olmo. Yet Barcelona were back on terms almost immediately as Raphinha’s powerful shot crashed against the crossbar and went in off Sommer’s head.

Pau Cubarsi made a crucial tackle to deny Thuram, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan had a goal chalked off for a marginal offside.

Yamal struck the bar again late on, but neither side could find a winner in a pulsating encounter.

The decisive second leg takes place in Milan next Tuesday, with the victor set to face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in the final on May 31 in Munich.