Francesco Acerbi scored a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser to send Inter Milan’s Champions League semi-final clash with Barcelona into extra time.
DAVIDE FRATTESI then fired Inter into the final on Tuesday night with a stunning extra-time winner, sealing a thrilling 4-3 victory on the night and a 7-6 triumph on aggregate.
The Italian midfielder lashed home in the 99th minute under a torrential Milan downpour, sparking wild celebrations at the San Siro as Inter booked their place in the final in Munich later this month. There, Simone Inzaghi’s men will face either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain, dreaming of a fourth European crown.
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Inter’s victory not only ended Barcelona’s hopes of an historic quadruple but also salvaged their own season, which had teetered on the brink following a drop in the Serie A title race and a recent Coppa Italia exit to AC Milan.
Despite trailing 3-2 on the night with just two minutes of normal time remaining—after Raphinha completed Barca’s comeback from two goals down—Inter found salvation through Acerbi, who poked in Denzel Dumfries’ cross to force extra time.
Barcelona had dominated much of the second half, overturning a first-half deficit created by Lautaro Martinez’s opener and a stoppage-time penalty from Hakan Calhanoglu. Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo levelled for Barca with quickfire strikes, both set up by the impressive Gerard Martin.
Inter keeper Yann Sommer was vital throughout, producing several crucial saves—including a world-class stop to deny Garcia and another stunning effort to keep out Lamine Yamal in the 113th minute.
But it was Frattesi who delivered the decisive blow, netting his seventh and most important goal of the season to crown an unforgettable night of football and send Inter back to the Champions League final for the second time in three years.
