Barcelona 3-3 Inter Milan LIVE REACTION: Yamal shines on 100th appearance in thrilling Champions League semi-final
Barcelona host Inter Milan in the Champions League this evening in a semi-final blockbuster, live on talkSPORT.
Hansi Flick's side were crowned the Copa del Rey champions over the weekend after a 3-2 win over Real Madrid, but they are eyeing a treble.
Standing in their way of the final in Munich are the best defence in the Champions League this season.
- Live commentary on talkSPORT HERE
- Barcelona: Szczesny, Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Martin, De Jong, Pedri, Olmo, Yamal, Raphinha, Torres
- Inter Milan: Sommer, Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni, Dumfries, Dimarco, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Thuram, Martinez
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Barcelona 3-3 Inter Milan - REACTION
Well, that is the end of our coverage this evening.
Barcelona and Inter Milan are locked after the first leg, and it's a game you would want to watch over and over again.
And luckily, it will happen again next week at the San Siro.
We hope you enjoyed the coverage, and we'll be back soon with more.
In the meantime, read more about Lamine Yamal being class.
In the balance
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong enjoyed his team's match with Inter Milan.
The Dutchman played the full game as the tie ended 3-3 with Inter Milan, ad he enjoyed it.
Speaking after the game, he said: "It was a nice game to play. The Champions League is always nice to play, but a semi-final means more because both teams really want to get to the final.
"You could see that today. Both teams played their hearts out, and just half time, so let's see next week.
"We knew it was going to be difficult because Inter are a very good team, but it was a bad start from us.
"Still, we have a lot of confidence in our abilities, and we knew we could score."
Man of the Match
Lamine Yamal was incredible, but it was Denzel Dumfries who was named as Man of the Match, and it's probably fair enough.
The Dutchman scored twice and set up Marcus Thuram's goal to put his side into a good position heading into the second leg.
Speaking after the game about it, he said: "It was a crazy game, and I think both teams fought for the win.
"In the end, 3-3 was a deserved result, and now, we are looking forward to the next leg."
He then found out he became the first Dutchman to score and assist in a Champions League semi-final since Wesley Sneijder.
"That is a nice statistic, and I didn't know that, but I am very proud of the performance today.
"We are usually very good defensively, but that just shows how good Barcelona are."
Credit: Getty
Barcelona 3-3 Inter Milan - REACTION
- This was the joint highest score draw in a UEFA Champions League semi-final game alongside a 3-3 draw between Dynamo Kyiv and FC Bayern München in the first leg back in 1998-99.
- In what was their 300th UEFA Champions League game (all time), Barcelona failed to win at home despite scoring 3+ goals for just a third time in the competition, also doing so against Manchester United in November 1998 and Internazionale in October 2022 (all three finishing 3-3).
- This was just the third time Internazionale have failed to win a UEFA Champions League game having led by 2+ goals after a 3-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund in November 2019 and a 3-3 draw with Benfica in April 2023.
- Only Cristiano Ronaldo (21 - 17 goals, 4 assists in 2013-14) has more goal involvements in a single UEFA Champions League campaign than Barcelona winger Raphinha this season (20 - 12 goals, 8 assists). Meanwhile, only Luís Figo (9 in 1999-00) has provided more assists in a single campaign in the competition than Raphinha’s eight this term.
'Crazy'
Inter Milan's Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been speaking after his side's 3-3 draw with Barcelona this evening.
These two teams produced an all-time great Champions League semi-final, but it is Inter who will leave the happier of the two.
He said: "Crazy game.
"It was a great game to watch, but not to play because it was very hard.
"But we've done our best. Unfortunately, we couldn't keep it at 3-2, and we have to think about the second leg."
On his disallowed goal, he said: "I feel very gutted.
"It was two or three centimetres. Perhaps, I just wanted to score too much, and maybe, I rushed and was caught offside.
"I now just have to score in the second leg."
Undeniable
What a way to mark your 100th Barcelona senior appearance.
Lamine Yamal put on an incredible display this evening, and somehow ended up with only one goal.
He did produce a sublime dummy for the third Barcelona goal as well, tbf.
But we are witnessing something special from this 17-year-old.
Credit: Getty Barcelona 3-3 Inter Milan - FULL TIME
That is the end of the game, and it brings an end to an incredible match.
Inter Milan will be delighted to be heading back to the San Siro with a 3-3 draw.
They raced into a 2-0 lead through two excellent goals from Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries.
But it was then the Lamine Yamal show as he scored a wonderful individual goal.
Ferran Torres equalised before half time.
Dumfries then headed home before Raphinha's unreal shot was tipped onto the crossbar by Yann Sommer.
But the ball hit the goalkeeper and rebounded into the net.
There was even a disallowed goal for Inter!
It was a match that had everything.
Barcelona 3-3 Inter Milan
We are into the last moments of the game, and there are just three minutes added.
Yann Sommer makes a good save to stop Raphinha's long-range strike.
But the hosts are running out of time.
Barcelona 3-3 Inter Milan
Couple of changes for Barcelona as well.
Hansi Flick introduces Andreas Christensen and Gavi.
Pau Curbasi and Pedri are the men to go off.
Barcelona 3-3 Inter Milan
It looks as if Inter Milan are looking to shut up shop.
Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries are withdrawn.
Matteo Darmian and Piotr Zielinski are the men to come on for Simone Inzaghi's team.
NO GOAL! Barcelona 3-3 Inter Milan
Inter Milan have the ball in the back of the net again, but it's not going to count!
Denzel Dumfries beats the offside trap, and he delivers a stunning cross.
It is begging to be put away, and there is Henrikh Mkhitaryan to oblige.
He slams the ball into the net, but he's a toenail offside.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-3 Inter Milan - Yann Sommer OG!
NAH, YOU CAN'T DO THAT!
Barcelona win a corner on the right, and the ball is rolled out to Raphinha.
He is 35 yards from goal and lashes an effort.
It's a stunning strike that Yann Sommer tips onto the crossbar.
But the ball comes back off the Swiss international's back and nestles in the net.
This is a Champions League classic!
Credit: Getty GOAL! Barcelona 2-3 Inter Milan - Denzel Dumfries
THIS IS INCREDIBLE!
Barcelona concede from another corner, and it is Denzel Dumfries with the goal again!
But it couldn't be more straightforward!
Hakan Calhanoglu delivers an outswinging corner that Dumfries attacks and powers in via Dani Olmo.
Credit: Getty Barcelona 2-2 Inter Milan
Hakan Calhanoglu becomes the first man into the book.
Nicolo Barella goes to close down Pau Curbasi, but no one comes with him.
Pedri can turn, but as he does, Calhanoglu hauls him to the floor.
Barcelona 2-2 Inter Milan
Federico Dimarco's evening is over.
Simone Inzaghi has decided that is someone else's turn to be twisted inside and out by Lamine Yamal.
Carlos Augusto comes on for the Italian international.
Barcelona 2-2 Inter Milan - Chance
That should be 3-2!
Mehdi Taremi plays a ball to Denzel Dumfries.
The Dutchman slides a pass down the line for Yann Bisseck, and he whips a low cross into the area.
It's not the best ball, but it somehow reaches Federico Dimarco at the far post, and he lashes over from close range.
Barcelona 2-2 Inter Milan - Kick-off
Right, strap yourselves in for the second half.
It's all set up to be an absolute thriller, and we are back underway.
Ronald Araujo is on for the hosts, and he replaces Gerard Martin.
Lautaro Martinez picked up an injury before half time, and he is off for Mehdi Taremi.
Barcelona 2-2 Inter Milan - HALF TIME
Clement Turpin brings an end to one of the best halves of football you will ever see.
Inter Milan stormed into a 2-0 lead thanks to two brilliant goals.
Marcus Thuram backheeled Denzel Dumfries' cross into the back after 30 seconds before Dumfries produced an overhead kick.
That just seemed to spark Barcelona into life, who pulled one back thanks to a wonderful Lamine Yamal effort.
The hosts then equalised as Raphinha nodded a cross back to Ferran Torres, and he tapped in.
That assist makes it 20 goal contributions in the Champions League for the winger this season, taking him above Lionel Messi's best-ever campaign in the UCL!
Unbelievable!
Barcelona 2-2 Inter Milan
That is the end of the game for Jules Kounde.
The Frenchman can't carry on.
He needs to come off, and Eric Garcia is on for him.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-2 Inter Milan - Ferran Torres
THE PRESSURE PAYS OFF!
Pedri picks up the ball on the right of midfield and clips a cross to the far post.
Raphinha drifts into the box.
He unselfishly heads the ball back into the six-yard box.
Ferran Torres times his run to perfection and taps home.
This has been incredible, and Scott Minto is loving it.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: "This is turning into an absolute classic. I've never seen a first leg like this."
Credit: Getty Barcelona 1-2 Inter Milan - Chance
Alessandro Bastoni gives the ball away, and Raphinha slips a pass into Ferran Torres.
His strike is blocked, and it comes back to Lamine Yamal.
He squares it along the box for Dani Olmo.
Olmo strikes first time, and Yann Sommer makes an excellent save down to his left.
Barcelona 1-2 Inter Milan - Chance
That is an incredible save!
Lamine Yamal picks up the ball on the right and dances into the box.
He sends Federico Dimarco for a hotdog and tries to score from a ridiculous angle.
He is inches away from doing so, but Yann Sommer somehow tips the effort onto the bar.
Credit: Getty GOAL! Barcelona 1-2 Inter Milan - Lamine Yamal
GAME ON! AND IT'S STUNNING!
Lamine Yamal picks up the ball on the right, weaves past two players.
He gets into the box, opens up his body and curls an effort.
It strikes the inside of the post and ends up in the back of the net.
That was something else!
Credit: Getty GOAL! Barcelona 0-2 Inter Milan - Denzel Dumfries
THIS IS INCREDIBLE!
Denzel Dumfries has doubled Inter Milan's lead with an outstanding finish.
The Dutchman has just produced an overhead kick to double the Italian side's lead from their first corner of the game.
Francesco Acerbi makes the first contact from a corner and loops a header in the direction of Dumfries, who produces an incredible strike.
The home side are stunned!
Credit: Getty Barcelona 0-1 Inter Milan
Inter Milan are doubling up on Lamine Yamal at every opportunity.
Federico Dimarco is being ably supported by Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The former Manchester United and Arsenal man is getting on, but he's working very hard in these opening exchanges.
But the hosts are starting to see more of the ball in dangerous areas.
