Inter Milan are through to the UEFA Champions League final after producing a nervy late turnaround to defeat Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate in a thrilling and entertaining Champions League semi-final tie.
With just two minutes of added time left in the clock, Inter trailed 2-3 on the night and were seemigly heading out when centre-back Francesco Acerbi smashed a cross into the back of the net to bring the tie level, the 37-year-old taking his shirt off in to celebrate widly with his teammates.
There was still time for more drama when substitute Davide Frattesi won it for the Italian champions, curling a beautiful left-footed shot into the bottom corner in the first half of extra time before climbing up a security fence to celebrate in front of Inter’s fans.
It means a second Champions League final in three seasons for three-time European champions Inter after two legs of incredible drama which saw 13 goals and a tie turned on its head on several occasions.
Barca, only two minutes away from their first final in 10 years fought back from 2-0 down – in a similar scenario to the first leg – to lead 3-2 on the night.
Lamine Yamal almost singlehandedly took the game to penalties twice but was denied by excellent superb saves by Yann Sommer as Inter held on to reach the final and spark incredible scenes of celebration.
Inter, who lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the 2023 final, will play either Paris St-Germain or Arsenal at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena on Saturday, 31 May in the 2025 showpiece.
Arsenal head into Wednesday’s second leg in France after losing 1-0 at Emirates Stadium last week.