FC Barcelona and Inter Milan delivered a thrilling spectacle in the first leg of the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League semifinal, ending in a dramatic 3-3 draw at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona.
This high-octane encounter showcased the brilliance of young star Lamine Yamal and leaves everything wide open ahead of the decisive return leg at San Siro.
Inter Milan struck first, with Marcus Thuram opening the scoring in the very first minute by finishing off a lightning-fast move. In the 21st minute, Denzel Dumfries doubled the lead for the Italians with a well-taken header from a corner.
Despite the early setback, Barça responded with determination. Lamine Yamal pulled one back in the 24th minute with a stunning curling shot. Just before halftime, Ferran Torres leveled the score, finishing off a well-crafted team move initiated by Raphinha.
At just 17 years old, Yamal marked his 100th appearance for FC Barcelona, becoming the youngest player ever to reach that milestone. He also made history as the youngest goalscorer in a Champions League semifinal.
A second half full of intensity
After the break, Dumfries struck again for Inter in the 63rd minute, this time heading home from another corner. But Barça hit back just two minutes later, when a shot from Raphinha was deflected into his own net by Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer, leveling the score at 3-3.
The match also saw Jules Koundé forced off with an injury, replaced by Eric García. Robert Lewandowski was absent due to a thigh injury, with Ferran Torres stepping in to lead the line.
The second leg is set for Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan. With the tie perfectly balanced, everything is on the line in the battle for a spot in the Champions League final, scheduled for May 31 at the Allianz Arena in Munich.