Just when it looked like the Italian side were cruising, teenage sensation Lamine Yamal ignited Barcelona’s comeback.
Barcelona and Inter Milan played out an electrifying 3-3 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final, match at the Montjuic Olympic Stadium. The visitors silenced the home crowd just 30 seconds in as Marcus Thuram met Denzel Dumfries’ low delivery with a cheeky backheel to net the fastest semi-final goal in Champions League history. Inter then doubled their advantage in the 20th minute, with Dumfries turning from provider to scorer, firing a stunning acrobatic volley past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Just when it looked like the Italian side were cruising, teenage sensation Lamine Yamal ignited Barcelona’s comeback. The 17-year-old showcased his immense talent with a dazzling solo goal in the 24th minute as he glided past defenders before curling a left-footed shot off the post. Yamal remained central to Barca’s resurgence, striking the woodwork twice and orchestrating much of their attacking play.
Barca levelled the score in the 38th minute through Ferran Torres, who pounced from close range after Raphinha intelligently nodded down Pedri’s long pass. But the see-saw battle continued in the second half, with Dumfries rising to head home his second goal from a Hakan Calhanoglu corner in the 63rd minute.
The hosts weren’t finished yet. Just two minutes later, Raphinha thundered a 25-yard strike off the crossbar which ricocheted off Inter keeper Yann Sommer’s back and into the net. Henrikh Mkhitaryan thought he had added a fourth for Inter with a close-range finish at the back post, but the goal was ruled out for offside, with the semi-automated system ruling it out by the slimmest of margins.
With six goals shared and the tie finely balanced, the second leg at San Siro promises another blockbuster night as both sides eye a spot in the Champions League final.
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