Barcelona and Inter Milan played an exciting Champions League semi-final fixture on Wednesday night, ending in a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
The match started as Marcus Thuram, returning from an injury layoff, opened the scoring in just 30 seconds, the fastest goal ever in a Champions League semi-final, with a clever, inventive finish that caught Barcelona off guard.
Denzel Dumfries then shocked the home crowd further, doubling Inter’s lead in the 21st minute with an acrobatic volley.
Hansi Flick’s men got back in the game in the 21st minute, with youngster Lamine Yamal putting one back in the lead with a spectacular goal, dribbling through Milan’s defenders to become the youngest scorer in the history of the competition’s semi-finals.
Just minutes before half-time, Raphinha delivered with a brilliant assist, setting up Ferran Torres for a tidy equaliser to make it 2-2 at half-time.
After the break, Inter took the lead again. Just past the hour mark, Dumfries scored his second of the night, heading in a looping ball that beat goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny.
But Barcelona answered almost immediately. Two minutes later, they took a short corner to Raphinha, who fired a powerful shot that hit the crossbar and bounced in off Inter’s goalkeeper Yann Sommer for an own goal.
The Brazilian International now surpasses Lionel Messi with the most goal contributions with 20 goals and assists in a Champions League campaign, reaching 52 goals and assists in 51 appearances this season.
The match could have had even more drama, but a late goal was ruled out for offside by Henrikh Mkhitaryan at the 76-minute with a heavy shot from his left foot.
Dumfries was named man of the match.
All eyes now turn to the San Siro, where the second leg will decide who reaches the final.
