INTER MILAN have booked their spot in the Champions League final with a 7-6 aggregate win over Barcelona after extra-time.
The hosts struck first when Lautaro Martinez punished Barca’s high line with a tap-in on 21 minutes to put his side 4-3 up on aggregate.
Just before half-time, Inter were awarded a penalty following a lengthy VAR check – and Hakan Calhanoglu made no mistake from the spot.
Minutes after the interval, Eric Garcia’s stunning volley got Barca back in the tie before Dani Olmo’s bullet header made the thriller 5-5 on aggregate on the hour mark.
The Spaniards thought they had won it through Raphinha’s late strike, but Francesco Acerbi sent the semi-final to extra time at the death.
Davide Frattesi’s stunning finish put Inter back in front in the first half of the additional period – and it was enough to send the Italians to their second Champions League final in three years.
- Match result: Inter 4-3 Barcelona (AET) (AGG: 7-6)
- Inter Milan team: Sommer, Dumfries, Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni, Dimarco, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Martinez, Thuram
- Barcelona team: Szczesny; Martin, Inigo, Cubarsi, Eric; Pedri, De Jong, Olmo; Raphinha, Ferran, Lamine Yamal
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Catch me if you can
Anyone who plays against Inter Milan or the Netherlands knows straight away what Denzel Dumfries brings to the party.
However, recognising the threat and stopping it are two completely different things.
Dumfries shuts out the hype and speculation and just does what he knows he does best.
Over the both legs, he was a constant thorn in the side of Barcelona and a huge reason the Italians now have a final to look forward to.
Inzaghi may have his work cut out keeping his full-back as no doubt, the vultures will be circling.
We could be heroes, just for one day
Being a goalkeeper is the toughest position on the pitch, of that there is no doubt.
While a striker can miss three chances and score his fourth to win the you the game, he is heralded as a match-winner.
So often keepers are just overlooked, great saves met with Roy Keane saying ‘Why are you clapping? He’s just doing his job! That’s what he’s paid for!’
But in this semi-final, Jann Sommer, take a bow!
He singled-handedly at times protected his side’s lead and made some truly world-class saves to deny Barcelona.
The Swiss keeper has surely experienced paying for anything in the city for the very last time after this victory.
A more deserving man of the match there was certainly not.
Credit: AFP Credit: EPA Credit: Getty Are you not entertained?
In a certain film, this was yelled from the middle of a Roman colosseum.
The modern equivalent in Milan is the San Siro Stadium.
It was a shame that one of these teams had to exit the competition, this could have been a final to remember.
One thing is for sure, whatever your allegiance, you have definitely been entertained over the course of these two legs.
Credit: AFP
Leaders inspire greatness
If anyone doubted the managerial abilities of Simone Inzaghi, those doubts should now be put to bed.
It seems to be a match made in heaven between him and his squad, a chemistry and passion not seen since Jose Mourinho graced the touchline.
He has put Italian football back on the map in Europe’s elite competition and made them a team nobody wants to face.
As for this group of Inter players…….andiamo di nuovo!
Credit: Getty Grit is just in their DNA
Empires are built on solid foundations and a will to put themselves and their bodies on the line to do what is required.
The great Italian teams show that mentality that saw their ancestors conquer and rule most of the known world.
Beware the experienced, focussed, well-drilled sides from this country is something we have learned if you did not know already.
They never give up and will keep coming back at you until they have no more to give.
Credit: Getty Spanish giants dealt huge blow
Barcelona and their fierce rivals Real Madrid are used to dominating this competition over the years.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were dumped out by Arsenal in the quarter-finals while Hansi Flick’s team could only make it one round further.
Both Spanish outfits have been taught a lesson this season in Europe, flair and talent is not always enough to see you through.
Good teams will identify ways to undo you, using whatever approach is needed to nullify your threat.
The gauntlet has been laid down, it will be interesting to see how both Spanish giants react next season and just how they will look to bounceback from exits far earlier than they had planned for.
Credit: EPA Credit: EPA Martinez puts it on the line for his family
Lautaro Martinez knew when they was a slight chance he could play in this game, the decision had already been made.
The Inter Milan skipper got himself on the scoresheet to break the deadlock and it seemed somewhat fitting.
Wearing the captain’s armband, he epitomises everything that this team stands for.
They are brothers in arms and will go to war for their teammates and manager.
That is something you just cannot teach or buy, worth its weight in gold.
Credit: AP Mentality monster triumph at home
There is nothing better than having a second-leg of a European tie at home, especially when he goes through.
Inter Milan showed they have a psychological edge having learnt so much from the pain of defeat in the final against Man City.
Many of these players were part of that squad and know they have a chance to make up for it.
Beware Simone Inzaghi and hit battle-hardened side whoever makes it to Munich from the other tie.
Credit: Getty Dutch maestro leading way
Speaking with Amazon Prime after the match, Inter’s classy full-back gave his thoughts:
Yeh crazy match again. Seven goals today, it was incredible. We fought until the end and are very proud, we are going to the final. I’m very happy, for all the team, I came back from injury so it was not easy to play two matches. He’s an amazing manager [Inzaghi] and now we go there to win. Two years ago we lost the final, this year we fight and we have an objective of course. Tomorrow we will see who we face in the final.
Denzil Dumfries
Tough test for Italian giants
Coming into this semi-final, Inter Milan boasted a record in this season’s competition where they had only conceded five goals.
Barcelona tore that up as they scored six goals against them in just the space of two matches.
However, Inter did not crumble and stuck to their task, showing that they never give up.
Nobody could deny either of these sides passage through to the final but the Italians just edged it.
Credit: AP Never underestimate your elders
On paper, you wondered if this older Inter Milan side could contain the vibrant, youthful, pacey Barcelona attack.
They certainly did that and made a big statement here.
Experience cannot be replaced and as we saw over both games, the Italians utilised it to find a way to book their place in Munich for the final.
Credit: Reuters Young guns dealt huge blow
Barcelona were most peoples’ tip to win this season’s competition.
However, Inter Milan found a way to beat them.
You do not learn much from victories but more so defeat.
Hansi Flick needs to ensure that his side remember this pain and use it as a platform for growth.
Credit: AFP FT: Inter Milan 4-3 Barcelona (AGG: 7-6) ET
The Catalan giants suffer defeat in Italy.
Inter looked dead on the their feet as the visitors took the lead late on but they dug deep.
First they found an equaliser before a veteran defender grabbed a winner to cap off a special night in the Champions League.
What a game, in both legs!!!
Inter Milan beat Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate
FT: Inter Milan 4-3 Barcelona (AGG: 7-6) ET
The referee blows his whistle, to the relief of the home fans.
What a performance from the Italians once again.
Barcelona head out of the tournament.
Inter Milan 4-3 Barcelona (AGG: 7-6) ET
120. Some of the Inter players are showing their experience now.
Receiving the ball and inviting the challenge from Barca.
As soon as they feel contact from behind, while shielding the ball, they go to ground to run the clock down.
We are going to have two added minutes.
Inter Milan 4-3 Barcelona (AGG: 7-6) ET
118. Another chance for the visitors.
Yamal uses his pace and trickery to work some space before firing off a shot from a tight angle.
Sommer beats it away but Lewandowski can only head the loose ball over the crossbar to huge cheers from the Italian fans.
Credit: AP Inter Milan 4-3 Barcelona (AGG: 7-6) ET
116. If the score stays like this, Sommer has to be man of the match.
He has made truly wonderful saves at pivotal stages of both legs.
The Swiss keeper is just four minutes away from becoming a cult-hero in Milan, if he is not already.
Inter Milan 4-3 Barcelona (AGG: 7-6) ET
114. PSG and Arsenal have got a lot to live up to tomorrow.
And one of those teams have to try and find a way to beat the winners of this game also.
Barca are getting caught with counter attack more often as they try and throw caution to the wind in these wet conditions.
Yamal runs at the hosts again and looks to place one in the far corner but Sommer makes another world-class save to tip it behind.
Inter Milan 4-3 Barcelona (AGG: 7-6) ET
112. These two teams have looked impressive in the competition up until this semi-final.
Despite that, nobody ever could have predicted the two legs of football they have given us.
It is everything we love about Europe’s elite tournament.
Inter Milan 4-3 Barcelona (AGG: 7-6) ET
110. Wow, Frattesi almost grabs another goal.
He looks to bend one in the far corner but Szczesny makes a wonderful save to turn it around the post.
The former Arsenal keeper has just kept his side in the competition with that one.
Inter Milan 4-3 Barcelona (AGG: 7-6) ET
108. Not that they are a one-person team by any stretch but Inter’s success this evening so far is partly down to their handling of Yamal.
They are making him have to try and do the impossible.
Somehow, he toes pokes a ball across the box but Lewandowski heads it over the target from about four yards out.
What a chance.
Credit: Getty Inter Milan 4-3 Barcelona (AGG: 7-6) ET
106. The instructions from Inzaghi will have been interesting.
To they look to just defend what they have now is the question.
That approach has not always worked out well for the Italian giants.
Kick-off: Inter Milan 4-3 Barcelona (AGG: 7-6) ET
We are back underway in the San Siro.
What will happen next, nobody can predict.
Barcelona get the second-half of extra-time started.
HT: Inter Milan 4-3 Barcelona (AGG: 7-6) ET
Now all the pressure is on Barcelona.
If they cannot find a goal, they are heading out.
Inter Milan are within touching distance of another European final.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
