Barcelona, Spain — Barcelona and Inter Milan shared the spoils in a dramatic 3-3 draw during a breathless Champions League semi-final first leg at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday night.
The game exploded into life as Marcus Thuram opened the scoring for Inter after just 30 seconds — the fastest ever goal in a Champions League semi-final — with a cheeky back-heel finish, following a low cross from Denzel Dumfries. Inter doubled their lead through Dumfries himself, who converted an acrobatic effort after a flick-on from Francesco Acerbi.
Barcelona, however, fought back through teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who dazzled in his 100th appearance. The 16-year-old dribbled past Henrikh Mkhitaryan before bending a left-footed shot in off the post, becoming the youngest-ever scorer in a Champions League semi-final.
Ferran Torres brought Barcelona level before halftime after connecting with Raphinha’s header across the face of goal, capping off a relentless opening 45 minutes.
After the break, Inter regained the lead when Dumfries’ header deflected in off Barcelona substitute Dani Olmo. But once again, the hosts responded immediately — Raphinha’s powerful drive ricocheted off the crossbar and into the net via goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s head.
The end-to-end action continued, with Pau Cubarsi making a crucial tackle to deny Thuram and Mkhitaryan having a late goal chalked off for offside. Yamal nearly won it late with a looping strike off the crossbar, but the sides remained level.
Barcelona’s Raphinha admitted conceding three goals at home was “unacceptable” but praised Inter’s performance, while Dumfries expressed pride in his team’s fight after three consecutive domestic defeats.
The tie remains delicately poised ahead of the return leg in Milan next Tuesday. The winner will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in the final on May 31 in Munich.
