Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi celebrated after scoring his side’s fourth goal during the Champion League semifinal second leg soccer match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo)
Inter Milan is heading back to the Champions League final after a wild 4-3 extra-time win over Barcelona. The victory at San Siro on Tuesday night sealed a 7-6 aggregate triumph. It was a clash filled with drama, comebacks, and unforgettable goals.
Frattesi's Moment of Glory
The hero of the night? Davide Frattesi. The substitute stunned Barcelona with a stunning strike in the 99th minute. Moments earlier, he had fired up the crowd, waving his arms to rally the fans. When the ball hit the net, San Siro erupted.
Inter’s bench stormed the field to celebrate, while Barcelona’s players collapsed in despair. It was a night of passion, pressure, and pure football magic.
A Game of Many Twists
At halftime, few could have predicted the madness to come. Inter looked in control with a 2-0 lead. Lautaro Martínez opened the scoring and then won a penalty. Hakan Çalhanoğlu calmly converted it.
Barcelona, however, refused to back down. They had clawed back from a two-goal deficit in the first leg to draw 3-3. And they were about to do it again.
Barcelona's Double Punch
Eric García pulled one back just nine minutes after the break. Six minutes later, Dani Olmo leveled the score with a well-placed header. Suddenly, the tie was wide open.
Then came what looked like the killer blow. In the 88th minute, Raphinha struck. He followed up his own rebound after Yann Sommer’s initial save, and Barcelona led 3-2.
Acerbi’s Stunning Equalizer
But the night had more surprises. In the final seconds of stoppage time, veteran defender Francesco Acerbi delivered an unforgettable moment. He scored his first-ever goal in European competition to make it 3-3.
Acerbi, at 37, couldn’t have picked a better time. His equalizer meant another 30 minutes of heart-stopping action.
Extra Time: One Goal That Made the Difference
The extra period started with both teams tired but determined. Then came Frattesi. In the 99th minute, he received a clever pass from Mehdi Taremi. He turned, fooled defender Pau Cubarsí, and curled the ball past Wojciech Szczęsny.
That goal would be the final blow.
Late Scare, But Inter Holds On
Barcelona nearly found another dramatic twist. Teen sensation Lamine Yamal fired a dangerous shot in the dying moments. But Sommer stretched fully and tipped it wide with his fingertips.
That save confirmed Inter’s place in the final.
On to Munich
Inter now prepares for the final in Munich on May 31. They will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal. PSG currently holds the edge after a 1-0 win in London.
This will be Inter’s second final in three years. In 2023, they lost to Manchester City. This time, they’ll hope to lift the trophy.
Inter’s journey to the final has been anything but easy. But on Tuesday night, they showed grit, spirit, and heart. Football fans won’t forget this clash anytime soon.
Will they go all the way this time? The final awaits.
