What a start to the Champions League Semi Final Between Barcelona and Inter Milan! The Match was filled with excitement and an incredible performance by both sides. As both teams entered the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Company in Barcelona, Spain the atmosphere had been set. Barcelona were the hosts of the game and were looking to have an easy win. Inter Milan (the visitors), were however filled with confidence.
As the ball was kicked off, both sets of fans were on the edge of their seats. Team Barcelona was the fan favorite. They had a 17 year old prodigy, Lamine Yamal that set them apart from other teams. Many fans expected Barcelona to win, as they had just come off a 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey finals. This didn’t stop Inter fans from standing tall, not worried about Barcelona. Barcelona was also facing the struggle of their legendary striker, Lewandoski, being injured. This led to having Spanish forward/winger, Ferran Torres.
0-1!
Only 30 seconds into the game Inter fans were off their seats celebrating as Marcus Thuram scored the opening goal. As he scored a back-heel goal into the net from a beautiful ball played by Denzel Dumfries (29 year old, Dutch player). Barcelona fans were looking worried and shaking in their seats.
0-2!
The visitors (Inter Milan) extended their lead from an impressive goal, scored by Denzel Dumfries. Not even twenty-five minutes in the fan favorites were down by 2. As the Inter Milan fans began celebrating the acrobatic volley scored from a corner, Barcelona players stared around the pitch looking surprised and shocked. Despite the scoreline, Inter Milan was not aware of what they had just started.
1-2!
Just two minutes after Inter’s second goal, the commentators yelled: “Goooooooooooooooal.” Barcelona fans erupted with cheering, bringing hope and support back into the game. Lamine Yamal had just scored a stunning solo goal that shocked and thrilled the fans. He had dribbled past several defenders and took a beautiful shot inside the box, curving the ball around the keeper. The young star had just scored on his 100th appearance for Barcelona bringing joy and happiness across the team and stadium. This electric performance by him gave Barcelona strength and confidence to win the game.
Shortly after, Yamal brought the ball up the field and whipped one at the goal, hitting the post from close range. Barcelona fans yelled as they had just missed a key moment to tie the game up.
2-2!
After 11 quick more minutes, the impossible became possible. The star spanish midfielder, Pedri, gave a beautiful ball over the top to 28 year old brazilian legend, Raphina, who headed the ball into the center, allowing Ferran Torres to get the quick tap – in goal to secure the tie before half. As the stadium of Estadi Olímpic roared, the Barcelona players celebrated enthusiastically. Ferran Torres ran to the corner, celebrating by doing a “night, night’ gesture implying the goal was “too easy” for him.
The first half ended 2-2, after fans had experienced an emotional match with back to back scoring, the teams were locked together and no one knew what to expect in the second half.
A short half time later, the whistle blew and Barcelona took off with the ball. They began to create chances through insane shots by Raphina and Ferran Torres, but it was not enough, as Yan Sommer stopped everyone. Just a few minutes later Inter started to become the more dominant team. In the 48th minute however, a crucial volley by Inter was missed to secure a lead.
2-3!
At the 62nd minute, the game changed. Inter had won a set piece. They beautifully executed it as there was a perfect ball played into the box by Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Denzel Dumfries secured a brace by scoring a beautiful header over Scezney. Barcelona was left in disbelief as they could not believe what had just happened. Inter fans started to celebrate and mock the Barcelona fans.
3-3!
Inter’s celebration was cut short though when Barcelona won a corner (set piece). They came up with a very unique and brilliant idea on how to execute it. As Dani Olmo passed the ball to Yamal who let the ball go through his legs (dummy) to Raphina, he winded his foot back and shot a rocket vibrating the cross bar and hitting off the back of the goalie (Sommer) for a Barcelona goal. As the goal went down as an own goal due to the hit of the goalkeeper, the score was tied up once again. Raphina walked back confidently knowing that he had just put his team in a good position and created a memory in Sommer’s head that will live to haunt him.
Shortly after this goal, Cubarsi had committed a risky challenge which cost him a yellow card. Both sides were neck and neck as they fired shots after shots. Inter had something up their sleeve though. In the 74th minute a beautiful ball was played by Dumfries into Henrikh Mkhitaryian who executed the task, scoring a goal. However, luck was not on Inter’s side as the goal had been ruled offside. This restricted the goal from counting, making Inter fans emotional and frustrated.
Barcelona won a corner in the 78th minute. The young Brazilian, Raphina, was elected to take it. He struck it, but it didn’t cause problems for the goalkeeper as he easily saved the cross. As the referee signaled for three minutes of added time, fans were unhappy, wanting the game to continue. In a last ditch effort from Raphina in the 90th minute, he ripped one more shot from over 20 yards away, but Sommer stopped it.
As the referee blew the final whistle to seal the game, both sets of fans were surprised and unsatisfied with the outcome. Both teams Barcelona and Inter couldn’t be separated and played an incredible game that will be remembered. However, the Barcelona and Inter Milan duel is not over. One more game, one more chance, one more fight. Who will we see in the Champions League Final?
