In a Champions League semifinal that had everything—drama, heartbreak, and last-gasp heroics—Davide Frattesi played the role of unlikely hero as his extra-time strike fired Inter Milan past Barcelona in a breathless 4-3 victory on the night and 7-6 on aggregate.
Acerbi’s Last-Second Lifeline
Moments after the Nerazzurri looked dead and buried, veteran Francesco Acerbi summoned a thunderous equalizer in the dying seconds of stoppage time—his first-ever goal in European competition at 37 years old—to send the tie into extra time and San Siro into raptures.
Then, in the 99th minute, came Frattesi. On the end of a darting Marcus Thuram run, the substitute took a calm touch and curled the ball into the far corner, turning the stadium into a cauldron of joy and disbelief.
With that, Inter booked a date in Munich later this month, where they’ll face the winner of PSG vs Arsenal and chase their first Champions League crown since 2010.
“We had one foot out the door, but we believed until the end,” said Frattesi. “The physios helped me get fit in time, and now this… it feels like a dream.”
Inter’s First-Half Brilliance
The night had started so differently. Inter were electric in the first half, slicing Barcelona open with surgical precision. Lautaro Martínez put them ahead on the counter in the 21st minute, and just before the break, Hakan Çalhanoğlu buried a penalty to stretch their advantage.
But Barça weren’t going down without a fight. Eric García nodded one back, Dani Olmo brought them level, and when Raphinha tapped in a third in the 87th minute, it looked like the Catalans had pulled off the comeback.
Sommer’s Heroics Seal the Win
Even after Frattesi’s winner, Inter needed Yann Sommer at his very best. The veteran keeper made two world-class saves to deny teenage star Lamine Yamal and secure Inter’s place in the final.
For Barcelona, the exit stings—especially after their Copa del Rey triumph and a strong domestic season.
“Football can be brutal,” said García. “But we fought with heart, and we’ll carry this pain into the league fight. We’re still growing.”
A Night to Remember in Milan
Inter, however, are marching on. A club with a legacy built on grit and glory, and now, another unforgettable European night to add to the list.
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