Davide Frattesi sent Inter Milan into the UEFA Champions League final in dramatic fashion on Tuesday night, scoring an extra-time winner to seal a stunning 4-3 victory over Barcelona at the San Siro, and a 7-6 win on aggregate.
Under heavy rain in Milan, Italy international Frattesi lashed home in the 99th minute to settle what was an electrifying and emotionally charged semi-final clash. The goal ignited wild celebrations among the Inter faithful and secured the club’s second final appearance in three seasons.
Simone Inzaghi’s side will now face either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain in the final, scheduled for later this month in Munich, where the Nerazzurri will aim to win their fourth European crown.
The win was a much-needed boost for Inter, whose treble ambitions had faded in recent weeks. They had relinquished the Serie A top spot to Napoli and were eliminated from the Coppa Italia by AC Milan. However, Tuesday’s result has kept their season alive and injected fresh momentum as they approach the season’s climax.
Barcelona looked poised to advance after Raphinha gave them a 3-2 lead on the night with two minutes of regular time left, completing a spirited second-half comeback. But Inter’s Francesco Acerbi silenced the visiting fans in the dying moments of added time, turning in Denzel Dumfries’ cross to force extra time.
Earlier, Inter had taken a 2-0 lead into the break courtesy of a superb strike from Lautaro Martinez and a penalty from Hakan Calhanoglu. Barcelona responded after half-time with quick-fire goals from Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo, both assisted by Gerard Martin, to draw level on the night and edge ahead on aggregate.
Goalkeeper Yann Sommer proved vital for Inter, pulling off a string of outstanding saves—most notably denying Garcia in a breathtaking moment that kept Inter in the tie.
Barca’s young star Lamine Yamal came closest to snatching a late winner for the visitors, striking the post before Acerbi’s leveller.
After surviving an intense finish, Inter’s resilience paid off, and Frattesi’s seventh goal of the season will be remembered as a career-defining moment.