BARCELONA had to come from behind thrice against Inter Milan to earn a 3-3 draw in their UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg clash in Spain tonight.
The Italians stunned the hosts after just 30 seconds when Marcus Thuram converted Denzel Dumfries’ low cross with an audacious backheel flick to score the fastest goal in a semi-final match in the competition’s history.
Netherlands full-back Dumfries doubled Inter Milan’s lead with a stunning overhead kick 20 minutes later and it looked like Barca were in real trouble.
But teenage sensation Lamine Yamal produced some magic to turn the game around for the Catalans.
The Spain forward struck a brilliant goal in the 24th minute to cut the deficit, drifting inside and dribbling past several defenders before unleashing a left-foot finish that crashed in off the post into the net.
Yamal was the main man for Barca on the night, hitting the woodwork twice and marking his 100th appearance for the club with a 22nd goal to add to his 33 assists at the age of just 17.
Ferran Torres pulled Barca level seven minutes before the break, turning home from close range after Raphinha headed down Pedri’s fine cross.
Dumfries was on hand again to restore Inter’s lead with his second goal of the night in the 63rd minute when he rose highest to meet Hakan Calhanoglu’s corner.
Barca again responded in style and equalised just two minutes later when a stunning 25-yard strike from Raphinha clattered the bar, bounced down and into the net, via a touch off Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s back.
The second leg is in Milan on Tuesday, with the winners on aggregate to face Paris St-Germain or Arsenal in the final.
