In an electrifying encounter at the San Siro, Inter Milan edged out Barcelona in a gripping 4-3 victory after overtime, earning their spot in the UEFA Champions League final. The match, filled with intense drama and remarkable performances, kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last minute.
First Half: Inter's Commanding Start
The first half saw Inter Milan assert their dominance early on. Lautaro Martínez opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a precise header from a Denzel Dumfries cross. Inter continued to press, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu doubled their lead with a spectacular free-kick in the 36th minute. The Turkish midfielder then converted a penalty in added time, sending Inter into halftime with a commanding 2-0 lead.
Second Half: Barcelona's Resilient Comeback
Barcelona, however, were not to be outdone. The Catalans mounted a stirring comeback in the second half, starting with a goal from Eric García in the 54th minute after a clever assist from Gavi Martín. Dani Olmo leveled the score just six minutes later, again assisted by Martín, setting the stage for a thrilling finale.
Raphinha put Barcelona ahead in the 88th minute, seemingly sealing the win for the visitors. But Inter's Francesco Acerbi had other ideas, scoring a crucial equalizer in the third minute of stoppage time, assisted by Dumfries, to force the game into overtime.
Overtime: Inter's Decisive Moment
With the match tied at 3-3, the tension was palpable as the teams entered overtime. Inter's determination shone through when Davide Frattesi, assisted by Mehdi Taremi, found the net in the 99th minute, giving Inter the decisive advantage. Despite Barcelona's efforts, Inter held their nerve and secured a memorable 4-3 victory.
This dramatic win propels Inter Milan into the Champions League final, where they will look to add another chapter to their storied history in Europe's premier competition. Under the guidance of coach Hansi Flick, Inter's journey to the final has been marked by resilience and tactical brilliance, setting the stage for an epic showdown in the final.
