Inter 1-0 Barcelona LIVE REACTION: Calhanoglu long-range strike gives Inter win amid VAR controversy – latest
INTER MILAN came out 1-0 victors over Barcelona in the Champions League thanks to a long-range strike from Hakan Calhanoglu.The Serie A side were fired ahead on the verge of half-time as Calhanoglu picked the ball up outside the box and fired a low shot past the goalkeeper.
Barcelona were denied a penalty by VAR in the second period, with the play being pulled back for an offside.
The second-half saw more controversy as Pedri had a goal ruled out for a foul on Andre Onana before late claims for a penalty were also denied as Inter held on.
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That’s all from the San Siro
A dramatic night in Milan comes to an end as Calhaoglnu’s first half strike seals Inter’s first win over Barcelona since 2010.
The pair will meet again in 8 days time where Xavi will hope to get his revenge at the Camp Nou.
Thank you for reading this match-blog. Goodnight.
Group C standings
Following Inter and Bayern’s wins this evening, here’s where we stand in the supposed ‘group of death’:
Bayern 9pts
Inter 6pts
Barcelona 3pts
Plzn 0pts
Messi to return
In the midst of tonight’s match, it has been reported that Lionel Messi could be on his way back to his boyhood club Barcelona, just a year and a half after parting ways for PSG.
His contract is soon up at the ligue 1 side and the Camp Nou is thought to be his first choice destination.
Some encouraging news on a dark night for Barca fans.
Roberto angry at refereeing
Barcelona had a number of decisions go against them this evening, most notably a handball in the area that was dismissed by VAR.
Barcelona defender Sergi Roberto was left furious after the game, complaining abut the lack of consistency within refereeing.
I’m angry. Every year it changes. Neither the players nor they [referees] know what to blow for.Sergi Roberto
Barcelona players have reportedly been told that the reason VAR did not give the penalty was because the ball hit Ansu Fati’s hand, after Dumfries.
A damning stat
What’s your net worth, Inter?
Barcelona may want to buy it.
Goals were hard to come by for the visitors this evening.
Could we see Barcelona drop to the Europa League for the second straight season?
FULL TIME – Inter 1-0 Barcelona
Inter have done it!
Calhanoglu’s late first-half strike is the difference on a night that belongs to Inter.
It was by no means a classic, but Inter stood firm and kept the Spanish giants out to take all three points in Milan.
More importantly, Inter go second in the group.
Barcelona will feel hard done by after having a goal chalked off for a handball in the build-up and then being denied a penalty by VAR late in the day.
You can understand their frustration, it looked to be a penalty on the replays. But the Catalan club never quite got out of first gear this evening.
Inter 1-0 Barcelona
90+8, Onana plucks the ball out of the air and that should be that!
Inter 1-0 Barcelona
90+7, Martinez does well to hold on to posession and kill some time for his side.
The offside flag eventually goes up.
One last throw of the dice for Barcelona.
Inter 1-0 Barcelona
90+5, Dembele curls in an in-swinging ball towards Lewandowski who couldn’t reach it on the stretch.
Will that be their last chance of the evening?
Inter 1-0 Barcelona
90+3, There is to be 8 added minutes of stoppage time.
Still time for Barcelona.
The whistling has started amongst the home supporters.
Inter 1-0 Barcelona
90+2, Case dismissed!
On the replays, the ball looked to take a nick off Dumfries’ hand, taking it away from Ansu-Fati. But VAR aren’t interested!
Inter 1-0 Barcelona
90, Pedri floats a great ball towards Roberto at the back-post who got there, flicking the ball across goal.
Barcelona want a penalty against Dumfries. VAR are taking a look.
Inter 1-0 Barcelona
88, Lewandowski heads wide!
That was a great chance by his standards, he just couldn’t control the header enough to glance it on target.
Inter 1-0 Barcelona
87, Kessie spins Bastoni who is booked for his efforts.
Good opportunity for Dembele to find someone.
Inter 1-0 Barcelona
86, Asllani is immediately involved, cutting out Ansu-Fati’s ball in.
Dembele’s corner is a peach, but no one in grey could get a touch to it.
Inter 1-0 Barcelona
85, Calhanoglu makes way to standing ovation following his potentially match-winning goal.
Asllani is on.
Inter 1-0 Barcelona
83, Gavi makes way for new signing Kessie. He recieves quite the reception after moving from bitter rivals AC Milan in the summer.
Inter 1-0 Barcelona
81, Inter boss Inzaghi is booked for time wasting on the touchline.
Both managers in the referee’s book now.
Inter 1-0 Barcelona
79, Barella floats a ball in to Dzeko who would have been licking his lips. But Pique does really well to nod it away from the Bosnian’s path.
Inter 1-0 Barcelona
78, Barca are threatening. Dembele teases a ball in towards Lewandowski who is happy to let it run for a corner.
Inter 1-0 Barcelona
Darmian, who was just down with cramp, joins de Vrij and Dimarco in leaving the field.
Dumfries, Gosens and Acerbi are on to help protect this lead.
Inter 1-0 Barcelona
75, Gavi and Martinez are booked for a little scuffle in the box.
Inter can make their changes now.
Inter 1-0 Barcelona
72, Martinez was preparing to shoot but for a last-stitch challenge from Garcia. Vital interception from the 21-year-old.
Inter 1-0 Barcelona
70, Dimarco goes route one up towards Martinez but Balde did well under pressure, heading safely back to ter Stegen.
There is still time for the visitors to find an equaliser.
GOAL DISALLOWED – Inter 1-0 Barcelona
68, Ansu-Fati was judged to have used his hand in the build-up.
Xavi is shown a yellow card for his protests.
Oh, what drama here at the San Siro!
.Credit: Reuters
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