Just when you think the Champions League can’t get any wilder, Barcelona and Inter Milan delivered an absolute classic at the Estadi de Montjuïc.
The two European giants clashed in the first leg of their semi-final showdown, and what unfolded was a rollercoaster of a 3-3 draw filled with jaw-dropping goals, late VAR drama, and the emergence of a teenage star who stole the spotlight.
Inter Stun the Hosts Early with a Double Blow
The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, but Inter Milan wasted no time silencing the home crowd.
Within the opening minute, Marcus Thuram pulled off a clever flick to put the visitors ahead, catching Barcelona cold before they even settled.
Then, just twenty minutes later, Inter were at it again.
A corner swung into the box found Denzel Dumfries, who executed a stunning scissor kick that rocketed into the net.
At 2-0 down, Barcelona looked rattled, and it seemed like Inter were about to take total control.
Lamine Yamal Changes the Game with a Spark of Brilliance
But then came the moment that shifted everything.
Just three minutes after Dumfries’ goal, 17-year-old Lamine Yamal picked up the ball, danced past defenders with ease, and curled it beautifully into the back of the net. It wasn’t just a goal—it was a statement.
The teenager, already earning comparisons to legends, didn’t just hold his own against Inter’s experienced backline—he ran the show. And Barcelona fed off that energy.
Ferran Torres Brings It Level Before the Break
Before the first half could close, Barça found their equaliser. Ferran Torres, the former Manchester City man, latched onto a flicked header inside the area and calmly slotted home to bring the score to 2-2.
The stadium erupted, and the momentum had clearly shifted in the home side’s favour.
Dumfries Strikes Again But Barcelona Keep Fighting
Inter weren’t done though. In the second half, Dumfries rose above everyone at a corner and nodded home his second of the night.
It was a physical, gritty finish that reasserted Inter’s presence.
But Barcelona weren’t going down without a fight. Raphinha came inches from levelling the score again when he unleashed a thunderous long-range effort.
It hit the crossbar, bounced off Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s back, and just narrowly missed crossing the line.
VAR Steals the Spotlight in Final Minutes
Inter thought they’d clinched the win late on when Henrikh Mkhitaryan poked home in the 76th minute. The away end erupted—until the flag went up.
A quick VAR check using semi-automated offside tech confirmed that Mkhitaryan was off by millimetres.
The goal was chalked off, and just like that, the win slipped from Inter’s grasp.
Yamal’s Star Shines Brightest on a Big Night
While Dumfries might have walked away with a brace, it was Lamine Yamal who left the football world buzzing.
Not only did he score a sensational goal, but his confidence, control, and flair dazzled fans and pundits alike.
At just 17, he was outclassing veterans, floating through tackles, and creating chances from nothing.
Even before kickoff, Yamal had fans worried when he limped down the tunnel during warm-ups after appearing to tweak his groin. But once the whistle blew, there were no signs of discomfort.
It also happened to be his 100th appearance—an impressive milestone considering his age.
Praise from Legends as Comparisons Begin
On commentary duty, Rio Ferdinand and Ally McCoist were full of admiration.
McCoist called his goal “absolute genius,” while Ferdinand gushed that the young forward was “taking liberties on the biggest stage.”
Ferdinand even hinted at something deeper, saying, “There’s a void in Barcelona since Messi left.
I’m not saying Yamal is the next Messi—but at 17, he’s doing things we’ve never seen before.”