Owen Sanders
The Olympic Stadium in Barcelona witnessed 90 minutes of football at its dramatic best, with teenage phenom Lamine Yamal stealing the spotlight on his 100th appearance for the Catalan giants.
Lightning start sets tone for classic encounter
Just 30 seconds – that’s all it took for Marcus Thuram to stun the home crowd with the fastest goal ever scored in a Champions League semi-final. The French striker’s impudent back-heel flick caught Barcelona cold after Iñigo Martinez’s unfortunate slip gifted him space in the box.
Despite Barcelona’s quadruple-chasing side quickly seizing control afterward, it was Inter who doubled their advantage against the run of play when Denzel Dumfries produced an acrobatic finish from Francesco Acerbi’s nodded corner.
Yamal announces himself on the biggest stage
At just 16 years old, Lamine Yamal responded to the two-goal deficit with a moment of magic that belied his tender years:
- Became youngest-ever semi-final goalscorer in Champions League history
- Produced a Messi-esque solo effort, floating past multiple defenders
- Struck with precision off the left post in the 28th minute
- Hit the crossbar minutes later with another sublime effort
“Yamal is a phenomenon of the kind born every 50 years,” admitted impressed Inter coach Simone Inzaghi.
Goals flow in frantic first half
The relentless pace continued as Ferran Torres equalized in the 38th minute, converting from close range after Pedri hooked a ball into the area for Raphinha to head across goal.
With four goals in the opening 38 minutes, fans barely had time to catch their breath in what was developing into an instant European classic.
Second-half drama keeps tie perfectly poised
Inter regained the lead through Dumfries’ second goal – his header bouncing in off Dani Olmo to put the Italians ahead once more.
But Barcelona’s resilience showed just two minutes later. After Yamal cleverly stepped over a corner, Raphinha’s thunderous strike crashed against the crossbar before deflecting in off goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s head for the sixth goal of this enthralling contest.
Both sides had chances to claim victory – Mkhitaryan had a goal disallowed for the tightest of offsides, while Yamal struck the woodwork again – but neither could find the decisive breakthrough.
“Letting in that many goals is unacceptable, but we also have to give Inter credit, they did very well,” said Raphinha afterward. “The important thing is we leave with a result where everything can happen.”
All to play for in Milan
The result marks an impressive response from Inter, who arrived in Catalonia having suffered three consecutive domestic defeats.
“After three defeats in a row we saw the real Inter tonight, we played with heart and I’m proud,” Dumfries told Amazon Prime Video.
Both sides suffered injury concerns, with Barcelona’s Jules Kounde limping off before half-time and Inter captain Lautaro Martinez also exiting hurt. Inzaghi expressed doubts about Martinez’s availability for the return leg.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick remained optimistic: “We will have our chance in Milan. This is our goal, we will fight for it.”
The second leg takes place next Tuesday at the San Siro, with the winner advancing to face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in the May 31 final in Munich.
For Barcelona, a club desperate to reclaim European glory after nine years without Champions League success, their young stars have breathed new life into their continental campaign – with Yamal looking every bit capable of carrying the torch once held by Lionel Messi.
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