FC Barcelona has been eliminated from the Champions League final after losing 4-3 in the second leg of the semifinals against Inter Milan, played at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium. The aggregate score was 7-6 in favor of the Italians, who advance to the final after a dramatic overtime.
A Blazing Start for Inter
The match began with a dominant Inter. Lautaro Martínez opened the scoring in the 21st minute, and before halftime, Hakan Çalhanoglu extended the lead with a penalty executed in the 43rd minute. Barça, who had drawn 3-3 in the first leg, found themselves in a difficult situation.
The blaugrana Comeback
In the second half, Barça replied with determination. Eric García narrowed the gap in the 56th minute, Dani Olmo equalized in the 64th, and Raphinha completed the comeback in the 87th minute. With a 2-3 on the scoreboard, Barcelona seemed to have the final within reach.
Acerbi's Goal and Overtime
However, in added time, Francesco Acerbi leveled the tie with a goal in the 93rd minute, taking the match to overtime. In extra time, Davide Frattesi, after an outstanding play by Marcus Thuram, scored the decisive goal that qualified Inter for the final.
Yann Sommer, Hero of the Match
Inter's goalkeeper, Yann Sommer, was decisive with key saves in regulation time and overtime, frustrating the goal attempts of blaugrana players like Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski. His performance was crucial for his team's advance to the final.
With this defeat, FC Barcelona is left at the doorstep of the final, while Inter Milan returns to the Champions League final three years later, where they will face the winner of the other semifinal between PSG and Arsenal.
FIFA Gets Its Way
Before the match, FC Barcelona was aware of the discomfort that Barça's presence in the Champions League semifinal caused FIFA.
A month before the start of the Club World Cup, it would have been ridiculous for FIFA to organize a tournament with the best teams in the world without the European champion. It was necessary to prevent Barça from advancing in the competition at all costs.
Nothing better than Marcianiak, the referee of the Madridist kit, the one who invalidated Julián Álvarez's penalty that gave Real Madrid life in the Champions League through the back door. He was the one in charge of executing the plan.
No doubts about the penalty against Barça. Many doubts about the two penalties in Inter's area on Lamine Yamal that weren't called. Suspicious criteria in fouls. Marciniak allowed Lamine Yamal to be hit even on his ID card.
Then Sommer. And the post... It won't be the year of the third treble, but they will have to wake up to secure the league and cup double. This Sunday awaits Real Madrid, who haven't known a double since the days when Butragueño wore shorts.