Inter Milan are heading to the Champions League final after a pulsating 7-6 aggregate win over Barcelona in one of the tournament’s all-time great ties.
The Italian champions needed extra time to finally overcome the Spanish giants in a match that delivered 13 goals, countless twists, and unforgettable drama.
Frattesi the Hero in Unforgettable Night at San Siro
Few could have predicted the sheer scale of drama that unfolded at the San Siro, where Inter Milan secured a 4-3 win on the night to reach the final in Munich. Having drawn 3-3 in Barcelona, the Nerazzurri raced into a 2-0 lead in front of a raucous home crowd. But Barcelona fought back with three goals in 33 second-half minutes, briefly taking the lead on aggregate for the first time thanks to Raphinha’s 87th-minute goal.
Inter’s response was immediate. Veteran defender Francesco Acerbi powered in a header to take the match into extra time, before substitute Davide Frattesi sealed the deal with a dramatic winner, sending more than 70,000 fans into delirium.
“It gave us everything. From start to finish last week to this week, everything about this semi-final has been pure entertainment,” said Alan Shearer.
“We didn’t expect this, did we? We expected a good game, but this? Thank you Inter Milan, thank you Barcelona for providing us with incredible entertainment and two great football matches.”
“What we have witnessed has been something very special. It’s been a pleasure to be here.”
“Inter were heading out, they were done. They somehow found a way to get themselves into the final. They deserve to be there.”
“What happened? I don’t know!” said Frattesi. “I celebrated so loudly that my head was spinning.”
“It was an amazing night,” said Inter boss Simone Inzaghi. “One to share with our fans, our club and our families. The players did something extraordinary.”
“We played four amazing games against two world-class teams like Bayern and Barcelona. It was great to celebrate this achievement here with our fans.”
“A crazy match again! Seven goals today… it was incredible,” added Denzel Dumfries.
“After the game in Munich, I thought I would never experience anything like this again in terms of emotions. But that’s the beauty of football,” said Frattesi. “It’s part of my career; I’ve always been the first to believe and the last to give up.”
Inter, now unbeaten in 16 home Champions League matches, will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in the final. PSG hold a 1-0 lead ahead of the second leg in France.
Site Opinion
Inter Milan have often been associated with tactical discipline and defensive solidity, but their victory over Barcelona was defined by courage and attacking belief. Conceding three at home would normally be a recipe for disaster, yet they found another gear when it mattered most. The combination of youth, experience, and spirit was on full display as San Siro witnessed one of its most iconic European nights in decades.
Frattesi’s winner may become the stuff of club folklore, but it was Acerbi’s equaliser and the leadership shown by seasoned players that proved just as vital. The club has been waiting 15 years for another European crown, and now stands just one game away. Whoever awaits in Munich, Inter will go there believing this is their moment.
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