Raphinha turns it, but Acerbi levels at 47 and earns yellow in Inter’s rally

The crowd at Giuseppe Meazza, the iconic San Siro, created an electrifying atmosphere. Inter Milan and Barcelona delivered a gripping battle in the second leg of the Champions League semifinals. After a 3-3 draw in the first leg, every moment was critical. By the 50th minute of the second half, the match remained unresolved, packed with goals, controversies, and raw emotion.

The game kicked off with Inter setting the tone. Backed by thousands of fans, the home side stifled Barcelona’s plays from the opening whistle. Their speed on the wings and tight marking frustrated the Catalan side’s efforts.

The early minutes showcased Inter’s strength. Lautaro Martínez, despite not being at 100%, led the attack, while Dimarco and Dumfries neutralized Yamal and Raphinha. Barcelona pushed back but struggled against the Italian defense.

• Early highlights:
  • Inter dominated possession in the first 15 minutes.
  • Yamal faced heavy marking from Dimarco.
  • Lautaro was a focal point in Inter’s attack.

Inter’s opening goal
At the 20th minute of the first half, Lautaro Martínez broke the deadlock. Dimarco stole the ball from Dani Olmo in defense and started the move. Dumfries, with space on the right, found the number 10 unmarked in the box. The Argentine finished with precision, leaving Szczesny helpless. The goal ignited San Siro, and Inter gained momentum. Barcelona tried to respond, but Yamal and Raphinha struggled against tight marking.

Inter kept pressing. At the 37th minute, Mkhitaryan nearly doubled the lead, striking first-time after a loose ball, but it went wide. Barcelona had a controversial moment at the 24th minute, demanding a penalty for a handball by Acerbi. VAR reviewed and upheld the no-call decision.

Penalty and Italian lead
Near halftime, at the 43rd minute, Inter extended their advantage. Lautaro Martínez was fouled by Cubarsí in the box, and the referee, after VAR review, awarded a penalty. Çalhanoglu calmly slotted it past Szczesny, who dove the wrong way. The 2-0 scoreline reflected Inter’s first-half dominance.

The break arrived with Inter in control. The Italian side led in shots and possession, while Barcelona struggled to breach their defense. Raphinha, the lone Brazilian on the pitch, was tightly marked by Dumfries and barely featured.

Barcelona’s response
The second half saw a more assertive Barcelona. Hansi Flick tweaked the setup, and the team leaned into counterattacks. At the 8th minute, Eric García pulled one back. Gerard Martín crossed from the left, and the right-back struck first-time, catching the defense off guard. The goal injected new life into Barça.

Inter hit back quickly. At the 10th minute, Barella unleashed a powerful shot from distance, but Szczesny made a superb save, tipping it for a corner. A minute later, Barcelona nearly leveled. In a swift counter, Gerard Martín, Pedri, and Eric García combined, but Sommer’s spectacular save denied the equalizer.

• Key second-half moments:
  • 8’: Eric García scores off Gerard Martín’s cross.
  • 10’: Szczesny saves Barella’s fierce shot.
  • 11’: Sommer stops Eric García’s effort.
  • 14’: Dani Olmo ties with a header.
  • 41’: Raphinha flips the scoreline on a rebound.

Catalan equalizer
At the 14th minute, Barcelona drew level. Gerard Martín, again from the left, sent a cross to the far post. Dani Olmo, unmarked, headed firmly into the net. The 2-2 score shifted the momentum, with Barça gaining confidence and Inter feeling the crowd’s pressure.

Substitutions began shaping the game. At the 25th minute, Inter swapped Lautaro Martínez for Taremi and Bisseck for Darmian. Barcelona brought on Ronald Araújo for Iñigo Martínez, bolstering the backline. At the 33rd minute, Frattesi and Zielinski entered Inter’s midfield, while Mkhitaryan received a yellow before exiting.

Barcelona’s turnaround
The match took a new turn at the 41st minute. Raphinha, previously quiet, shone. The Brazilian received with space, shot, and Sommer saved. On the rebound, Raphinha was quickest, scoring the go-ahead goal. The 3-2 score hushed San Siro, while Barcelona’s fans erupted.

Raphinha, with 12 Champions League goals, closed in on Guirassy, the top scorer. The Brazilian became the game’s protagonist in a match full of twists. Barcelona seemed poised for victory, but Inter refused to back down.

Inter’s dramatic equalizer
At the 47th minute of the second half, Inter clawed back. Dumfries crossed from the right, and Acerbi, well-placed, fired home. In the celebration’s frenzy, the defender removed his shirt and earned a yellow card. The score returned to 3-3, reigniting the Italian fans’ hopes.

Right after the goal, Barcelona’s coach, Hansi Flick, also received a yellow for protesting. At the 49th minute, Yamal nearly put Barça back ahead, but his shot crashed against the post. The game remained intense, with chances for both sides.

Timeline: key plays
The clash was defined by pivotal moments. Below are the highlights up to the 50th minute of the second half:

• 20’ (1H): Lautaro Martínez opens the scoring, assisted by Dumfries.
• 45’ (1H): Çalhanoglu converts a penalty for 2-0.
• 8’ (2H): Eric García pulls one back for Barcelona.
• 14’ (2H): Dani Olmo levels with a header.
• 41’ (2H): Raphinha scores on a rebound to take the lead.
• 47’ (2H): Acerbi ties for Inter.

VAR controversies
The match saw contentious calls. At the 22nd minute of the second half, Barcelona demanded a penalty after Mkhitaryan fouled Yamal near the box. VAR ruled the foul was outside, sparking protests. In the first half, Inter’s penalty also stirred debate, with Barcelona questioning Cubarsí’s contact on Lautaro.

Polish referee Szymon Marciniak led with authority, backed by assistants Tomasz Listkiewicz and Adam Kupsik. The VAR, led by Dennis Higler, played a decisive role in contentious moments.

Lineups and absences
Inter fielded Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Çalhanoglu, Barella, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Lautaro Martínez, and Thuram. Barcelona, without Balde and Koundé due to injuries, started Szczesny; Eric García, Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, Gerard Martín; de Jong, Pedri, Olmo; Yamal, Raphinha, and Ferran Torres. Lewandowski, recovered, began on the bench and entered at the 45th minute of the second half.

Substitutions were critical. Barcelona gained solidity with Araújo, while Inter injected energy with Taremi, Frattesi, and Zielinski. Fermín López replaced Olmo at the 37th minute, adding spark to the Catalan midfield.

Battle on the wings
The flanks were central. Inter’s Dimarco and Dumfries stifled Barcelona in the first half, while Gerard Martín, for Barça, excelled in the second with pinpoint crosses. Yamal, despite tough marking, created dangerous plays, like his shot off the post at the 49th minute.

Inter relied on Thuram’s physicality and Lautaro’s movement, who demanded constant attention from the defense. The tactical duel between Inzaghi and Flick was clear, with ongoing adjustments.

• Standout wing players:
  • Gerard Martín: Two crosses leading to Barcelona goals.
  • Dumfries: Assisted Acerbi’s equalizer.
  • Yamal: Individual runs and a shot off the post.
  • Dimarco: Neutralized Yamal in the first half.

Game numbers
Barcelona led in shots, averaging 7.8 per game in the Champions League, compared to Inter’s 6.3. The Catalans also had more corners (4.8 vs. 2.9). Inter, however, received more yellows (1.9 per game) and had two red cards in the competition, while Barcelona stayed disciplined with 0.9 cards per match.

San Siro atmosphere
The packed stadium created a unique vibe. Inter’s fans roared with each goal, and Acerbi’s equalizer sparked renewed hope after Barcelona’s lead. The smaller Catalan contingent cheered loudly for Yamal and Raphinha’s efforts. The Champions League anthem, played pre-match, highlighted the clash’s magnitude.

Individual standouts
Raphinha was the game’s star until Inter’s equalizer. The Brazilian scored the go-ahead goal and has 12 Champions League goals. Acerbi, with the tying goal, emerged as an unlikely hero, despite the yellow for celebrating. Sommer made vital saves, while Dani Olmo and Eric García also shone for Barça.

• Players in focus:
  • Raphinha: Scored the lead and has 12 Champions League goals.
  • Acerbi: Late equalizer and a yellow in celebration.
  • Sommer: Saves that kept Inter in contention.
  • Dani Olmo: Leveled with a header.
  • Yamal: Hit the post and created key plays.

Final stages of the match
At the 50th minute, the game hung in the balance. Inter’s equalizer shifted the dynamic, while Barcelona sought to regain the lead. Lewandowski, freshly subbed on, looked to make a difference, but Inter’s defense held firm. The match promised more drama in the closing minutes.