Barcelona fought back from two goals down to earn a dramatic 3-3 draw against Inter Milan in a pulsating Champions League semi-final first leg at the Olympic Stadium, extending the Nerazzurri’s winless run in Spain to 11 games.
Simone Inzaghi’s men stunned the hosts with a dream start, Marcus Thuram flicking in a Dumfries cross inside the opening minute before the Dutchman added a spectacular second midway through the half.
But Barcelona, led by a fearless Lamine Yamal, struck back. The 16-year-old weaved through Inter defenders and curled in a brilliant solo effort before Ferran Torres equalised just before the break.
“Lamine is the kind of talent that comes along every 50 years, and to see him up close really impressed me,” admitted Inzaghi post-match. “He caused us huge problems because we were supposed to double up on him and it wasn’t enough.”
Despite losing Lautaro Martínez to injury at half-time, Inter regained the lead with Dumfries heading home from a corner.
But parity was quickly restored when Raphinha’s thunderous strike cannoned off the bar and in via Yann Sommer. Both sides went close late on, but neither could land a knockout blow, setting up a finely poised return leg at the San Siro.
“He’s special, he’s a genius,” Barça boss Hansi Flick said of Yamal. “In the big matches, he shows up. If it only comes every 50 years like Simone said, I’m glad it’s for Barcelona.”
