In a match that will be etched into the annals of Champions League history, Inter Milan secured a dramatic 4-3 victory over Barcelona in the second leg of their semi-final clash at the San Siro on May 6, 2025, advancing to the final with a 7-6 aggregate scoreline. The game, a pulsating spectacle that mirrored the 3-3 draw of the first leg, stretched into extra time after another breathless 3-3 deadlock in regulation, with Inter’s resilience and clinical finishing ultimately proving decisive.
The cauldron-like atmosphere at the San Siro set the tone from the opening whistle, and Inter wasted no time asserting their dominance. Lautaro Martinez, returning from a knock sustained in the first leg, ignited the home crowd in the 22nd minute, tapping in after Barcelona’s defense faltered, giving Inter a 1-0 lead and a 4-3 advantage on aggregate. The Nerazzurri doubled their lead just before the half-hour mark when Hakan Calhanoglu coolly converted a penalty, awarded after VAR spotted a foul by Pau Cubarsi on Martinez. At 2-0, Inter seemed poised to cruise, their unbeaten home streak in the Champions League—now 16 matches—looking impregnable.
Barcelona, however, are no strangers to comebacks, and their response was swift and ruthless. Dani Olmo, a constant menace, pulled one back in the 60th minute, heading in a pinpoint cross from Gerard Martin to make it 2-1. Just seven minutes later, Eric Garcia stunned the San Siro, capitalizing on another Martin assist to level the score at 2-2, bringing the aggregate to 5-5. The momentum had shifted, and Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal nearly put them ahead, his long-range screamer narrowly missing the target in a moment that had Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer scrambling.
As the clock ticked toward the 90th minute, both sides traded blows in a frantic end-to-end battle. Then, in the 93rd minute, Inter’s Francesco Acerbi rose highest to meet a corner, his header finding the net to restore Inter’s lead at 3-2 and level the aggregate at 6-6. The San Siro erupted, but the drama was far from over. Barcelona pushed for an equalizer, and Inter’s defense, led by the indomitable Alessandro Bastoni, held firm to force extra time.
The additional 30 minutes saw Inter seize control early. Davide Frattesi, introduced as a substitute, became the hero in the 91st minute of extra time, latching onto a through ball from Marcus Thuram and slotting past Wojciech Szczesny to make it 4-3. The goal sparked wild celebrations, with Inter now leading 7-6 on aggregate. Barcelona, visibly fatigued, threw everything forward, but Inter’s backline, bolstered by Sommer’s stunning save to deny Garcia a second, stood resolute. Raphinha, who had been a thorn in Inter’s side all night, struck the bar late on, but it wasn’t to be for the Catalans.
Inter’s victory marks their return to the Champions League final for the second time in three years, a testament to Simone Inzaghi’s tactical acumen and the team’s unbreakable spirit. Martinez, named man of the match, epitomized Inter’s grit, while Denzel Dumfries, who scored twice in the first leg, continued to haunt Barcelona with his relentless runs. For Barcelona, the defeat ends their treble dreams, despite a valiant effort led by Yamal and Olmo. Hansi Flick, gracious in defeat, praised his team’s fight but lamented defensive lapses that proved costly.