In a Champions League semifinal that crackled with intensity and showcased future greatness, 17-year-old Lamine Yamal stole the show, rescuing Barcelona from a two-goal deficit to earn a 3-3 draw against Inter Milan in a pulsating first leg at the Olympic Stadium.
The night began in chaos for the Catalans. Inter struck inside 30 seconds through Marcus Thuram and doubled their lead when Denzel Dumfries pounced from a corner just 20 minutes later. But what followed was a breathtaking response, orchestrated by a teenager whose star is rising with frightening speed.
Yamal, making his 100th Barcelona appearance, delivered a solo masterpiece to ignite the comeback. Moments later, Ferran Torres tapped home the equaliser. Even after Dumfries restored Inter’s lead with another set-piece finish, Barça refused to buckle, drawing level again when Raphinha’s strike rebounded off Yann Sommer for an unfortunate own goal.
“I’m proud to see how my players came here and produced that performance,” said Inter coach Simone Inzaghi. “But Yamal, he’s a phenomenon born every 50 years.” The Inter boss admitted his side struggled to contain the winger, who also struck the bar twice and terrorised Federico Dimarco throughout.
Barça boss Hansi Flick was full of praise for his young star, calling him “a genius” and celebrating his fearless flair on the big stage. Yamal’s inclusion had been uncertain due to a muscle concern during warmups but his performance laid all doubts to rest.
Inter, fresh off three straight defeats, looked far from a side in crisis. Henrikh Mkhitaryan had a goal ruled out, Pau Cubarsí saved Barça with a vital tackle, and Thuram was denied late on. “They’re a great team, one of the best in Europe on set pieces,” Flick admitted. “It was a final before the final.”
Both sides suffered injury blows, with Jules Koundé and Lautaro Martínez withdrawn. Inzaghi confirmed Martínez is a doubt for the return leg, but warned: “Barça know now they’re up against a side that’s very hard to beat.”
With the tie finely poised at 3-3, all roads lead to the San Siro next Tuesday, where the winners will face either PSG or Arsenal in the Champions League final in Munich.
