Davide Frattesi came off the bench to score an extra-time winner as Inter Milan sealed their place in the Champions League final with a dramatic 4-3 victory over Barcelona (7-6 on aggregate) in one of the most unforgettable semifinals in the competition’s history.
Inter, trailing late on, were saved in stoppage time by 37-year-old Francesco Acerbi, whose first-ever European goal forced the game into extra time. The match — a pulsating rollercoaster at San Siro — saw Inter book their place in the final in Munich, where they will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal.
The Italian side were dominant in the first half. Lautaro Martínez opened the scoring on the break in the 21st minute, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu doubled the lead from the penalty spot just before the interval. But Barcelona came roaring back in the second half with goals from Eric García and Dani Olmo in quick succession to level the tie.
Raphinha looked to have won it for the Catalans in the 87th minute, but Acerbi’s late volley kept Inter alive. It was then Frattesi, on in extra time, who found the decisive moment, curling home a brilliant finish after a surging run and assist from Marcus Thuram in the 99th minute.
Goalkeeper Yann Sommer made several stunning saves — notably denying teenage sensation Lamine Yamal twice — to preserve the win and secure Inter’s first final since 2010, when they won the treble under José Mourinho.
An emotional Frattesi told Sky Sport: “I screamed so much after the goal that I nearly passed out. I wasn’t even fully fit, so I owe this to the physios. Tonight, the incredible happened.”
Barcelona’s hopes of a treble are over, though they remain top of La Liga. Defender Eric García said: “Football was cruel to us tonight, but this young team has shown real character.”
The aggregate score equalled the highest ever in a Champions League semi-final, matching Liverpool’s 7-6 win over Roma in 2018.
