Barcelona and Inter Milan have produced one of the greatest games in Champions League history with six sublime goals in a breathtaking semi-final.
Inspired by 17-year-old phenomenon Lamine Yamal, Barcelona rallied back from two goals down to pull level at 3-3 in the first leg at Spain’s Olympic Stadium on Thursday (AEST).
Four of the goals were scored in the first half after Inter had led 2-0.
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“A fantastic 45 minutes, the best 45 minutes of Champions League football that I can remember,” Mark Bosnich said on Stan Sport.
“You want to imagine the ultimate half of football? That was it.”
Marcus Thuram was in doubt for Inter’s starting XI after missing their previous three matches – all losses without a goal.
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Barcelona are rocked by a Denzel Dumfries stunner in their Champions League semi-final. Getty
But the striker brilliantly used the back of his heel to turn in a cross by Denzel Dumfries to stun the hosts just 30 seconds after kick off.
Dumfries doubled the advantage for Inter when he scored from close range with a spectacular scissor kick in the 21st minute.
But Yamal sparked Barcelona into action in the 24th when he dribbled past two defenders and sliced a shot in off the far post.
Lamine Yamal of Barcelona celebrates scoring. Getty
The goal made him the youngest player to score in a Champions League semi-final, breaking the record held by Kylian Mbappe.
Yamal went close to an equaliser moments later after gliding around the goal and firing a shot with just a sliver of an angle off the crossbar.
Ferran Torres then rammed in a headed pass by Raphinha to equalise for Barcelona in the 38th minute.
Stan Sport host Adam Peacock asked Bosnich whether he had seen anything like Yamal before.
“Well, yeah, Pele,” the Australian football great responded, referencing the Brazilian icon who many argue is the best to ever play the game.
“This is Pele levels in my opinion… 17 years of age and playing in a way that in a semi-final of the Champions League, the premier sporting competition in the world, basically changing the game on his own.”
Lamine Yamal of Barcelona. Getty
Spanish football expert Semra Hunter has tracked Yamal’s career closely and was pitchside for Stan Sport.
“I think the Ballon d’Or is going to be a little bit boring over the next 10-15 years because it’s probably going to be Lamine Yamal taking up the top spot in the podium year after year,” Hunter said.
“It sounds amazing to say this, but it has become normal for him to do this. It’s so reminiscent of (Lionel) Messi… the fact that they were double teaming and triple teaming him at times…
A 20-year-old Lionel Messi bathes Lamine Yamal. AP
“It’s just unbelievable to think what else is still to come from him because he does defy the odds in so many different ways. He smashed the records that Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were not even able to do this at this stage.”
Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez had to be substituted at half time.
Lautaro looked distraught and in pain as he started hobbling shortly before half time and didn’t come out after the break.
The forward, who has scored 21 goals this season, was replaced by Mehdi Taremi.
The incredible action continued early in the second half when Dumfries scored his second to put underdogs Inter 3-2 up.
But the home fans roared again in the 65th minute as Raphinha unleashed a rocket from outside the box.
The ball smashed into the crossbar and went in off Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer for an own goal and 3-3.
“Playing at home, we had the obligation to win,” Raphinha said.
“But the result is not that bad and we will prepare for the second game so we come out on top.”
What was supposed to be a contrast of styles between top scoring Barcelona and the stingiest defence in the competition turned into a shootout.
After a shaky start, Barcelona imposed their game, enjoyed 66 per cent possession and created seven shots on goal to Inter’s three.
“Yamal is a fantastic player, in the big matches you can see his quality, and he showed it today,” Barcelona manager Hansi Flick said.
Ferran Torres of Barcelona celebrates scoring his team’s second goal. Getty
“At 2-0 down I knew that this was a semi-final between great clubs and I knew that the huge experience they have was being demonstrated. They are good at set plays too, but Lamine showed us the way forward. His goal to make it 2-1 was so important.”
The second leg is next week in Milan.
Barcelona are trying to reach their first final since 2015, when they collected their fifth title.
In their first season under Flick, the Spanish club are also trying to repeat the treble of major trophies they won a decade ago.
Simone Inzaghi’s Inter are aiming for their second final in three years, after losing to Manchester City in the trophy match in 2023.
“We had a good game. I think after three straight defeats we saw the real Inter, playing with heart,” man of the match and Netherlands international Dumfries said.
Barcelona are rocked by a Denzel Dumfries stunner in their Champions League semi-final. Stan
“I’m proud of us. Obviously we wanted to win but I think it was a good game and everything’s still open, we’ll see at San Siro. I’m happy, it was a difficult period for me because of the injury but now I’m back. It was certainly a great return.”
The winner will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in Munich on June 1 (AEST).
PSG beat Arsenal 1-0 in London on Wednesday (AEST) in their first match.
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