Inter 4–3 Barcelona [7–6 agg]: Frattesi’s extra-time winner sends Nerazzurri into Champions League final after all-time classic | OneFootball

After the two sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in last week’s first leg, Inter and Barcelona reconvened at a rain-soaked San Siro for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final. With the tie finely poised, both clubs had everything to play for. Inter were seeking to reach a second UCL final in three years, while Barcelona chased a first since 2015.

In an epic clash that swung back and forth, it was ultimately Davide Frattesi’s goal in extra time that sent the Italian champions through, prevailing 7-6 on aggregate after a 4-3 victory on the night.

As it happened

Barcelona started brightly under the lights at San Siro and nearly struck first when Lamine Yamal fed Ferran Torres, though the Spaniard was flagged offside. But it was Inter who opened the scoring in the 21st minute, as Federico Dimarco pressed high to win the ball and Denzel Dumfries slipped a pass across for Lautaro Martínez to convert with composure.

The Nerazzurri doubled their lead just before half-time when Pau Cubarsí brought down Martínez inside the area. Hakan Çalhanoğlu stepped up and sent Wojciech Szczęsny the wrong way from the penalty spot, giving Inter a 5-3 aggregate lead at the break.

Barcelona responded immediately after the restart. Substitute Gerard Martin delivered a pinpoint cross which Eric Garcia met with a first-time finish to make it 2-1 on the night. Just six minutes later, the visitors drew level as Dani Olmo rose to nod home Martin’s delivery and bring the tie to 5-5 overall.

A controversial moment followed when Henrikh Mkhitaryan tripped Yamal near the edge of the box. Initially awarded as a penalty, VAR overturned the decision, deeming the foul to have occurred just outside the area. Still, Barcelona pushed on.

Raphinha thought he had won it in the 88th minute. After Yann Sommer saved his initial shot, the Brazilian was first to react, rifling in the rebound to put Barça ahead 6-5 on aggregate. However, there was one final twist. In the third minute of stoppage time, Dumfries crossed low for Francesco Acerbi, who lashed a spectacular equaliser into the roof of the net to send the tie to extra time.

Extra time saw chances at both ends, but it was Inter who landed the decisive blow. In the 99th minute, Marcus Thuram and Mehdi Taremi combined neatly down the right before teeing up Davide Frattesi, who swept a composed finish into the bottom corner.

Yamal continued to threaten, forcing two more outstanding stops from Sommer, and Robert Lewandowski headed over when well placed. But Barcelona could not find another way through, and Inter held firm to book their place in the Champions League final in Munich.

The lineups

INT: Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez.

FCB: Szczesny; Garcia, Cubarsi, Martinez, Martin; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Ferran Torres