Inter Milan produced a dramatic late turnaround to beat Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate in a thrilling, all-time classic of a Champions League semi-final.
With just two minutes of added time left, Inter trailed 3-2 on the night and were heading out when centre-back Francesco Acerbi smashed a cross into the roof of the net to level the tie, the 37-year-old charging around with his shirt off in wild celebrations.
And there were more ecstatic scenes when substitute Davide Frattesi won it for the Italian champions, curling a beautiful left-footed shot into the bottom corner in the first period of extra time before climbing up a security fence to celebrate in front of Inter’s fans.
It means a second Champions League final in three seasons for three-time European champions Inter after two legs of incredible drama which saw 13 goals and a tie turned on its head on several occasions.
Barca were only two minutes away from their first final in 10 years having fought back from 2-0 down – in a similar scenario to the first leg – to lead 3-2 on the night.
Lamine Yamal almost took the game to penalties but was twice denied by superb saves by Yann Sommer as Inter held on to reach the final and spark incredible scenes of celebration.
Inter, who lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the 2023 final, will play either Paris St-Germain or Arsenal at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena on Saturday, 31 May in the 2025 showpiece.
The Gunners head into Wednesday’s second leg in France after losing 1-0 at Emirates Stadium last week.
Sommer saves help Inter hold on to win on dramatic night
This semi-final will go down as one of the best in the tournament’s history.
Just like in the first leg in Spain, Inter raced into a 2-0 lead, only to be pegged by Barcelona.
After Lautaro Martinez had put Inter ahead following good work from team-mate Denzel Dumfries, Hakan Calhanoglu converted a penalty at the end of the first half to leave Barcelona 5-3 behind on aggregate and in massive trouble.
But Hansi Flick’s side dominated the second half.
Former Manchester City defender Eric Garcia volleyed one back for Barcelona before Dani Olmo’s fine diving header in the 60th minute from Gerard Martin’s cross made it 2-2 on the night and 5-5 on aggregate.
Raphinha grabbed what appeared to be an 87th-minute winner as Barca went ahead for the first time in the tie, when he converted a rebound after Sommer had saved his first strike.
Inter saved themselves, although Yamal had a chance to win the tie in the sixth minute of stoppage time only for Sommer to make a vital stop.
The hosts then retook the lead in extra time, but Barca still created chances, only for substitute Robert Lewandowski to head over and for 18-year-old Yamal to be denied by Sommer’s superb one-handed save.
This tie was the joint-highest scoring semi-final tie in the Champions League history, matching the 13 goals scored when Liverpool defeated Roma 7-6 on aggregate in 2017-18.
Barca can bounce back in El Clasico at weekend
Inter won the European Cup in 1964 and 1965 and clinched the Champions League in 2010, when Jose Mourinho guided them to a 2-0 win in the final against Bayern Munich.
No Italian side has won the competition since then with Juventus losing in the 2015 and 2017 finals, before Rodri scored the only goal for Manchester City against Inter in the final two years ago.
Simone Inzaghi was Inter’s manager then and he has again plotted a route to the final, while also taking them in contention to win a second successive Italian Serie A title as they are second, three points behind leaders Napoli with three games to go.
Meanwhile, Barcelona have been European champions five times, but have not reached the final since their last success in 2015.
They still have a chance to grab their third domestic trophy this season as they hold a four-point lead at the top of La Liga over reigning champions Real Madrid.
Barca entertain Real in El Clasico on Sunday and a victory would go a long way to securing a 28th Spanish title – and only their second in the past six campaigns.
Flick’s side have already won the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana this season, beating Real in both finals.
