Teen winger Lamine’s moment of magic helps Barcelona rally from 0-2 down to seal 3-3 draw at home vs Inter in semi-final first leg, leaving it all square for return clash
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal celebrates his goal against Inter Milan on Wednesday. Pic/Getty Images
For 22 minutes Barcelona did not seem to believe they would reach the Champions League final, and then Lamine Yamal decided enough was enough.
Inter Milan raced into a two-goal lead by the 21st minute of their first leg semi-final clash, but the 17-year-old star’s brilliance helped the Catalan giants come from behind to secure a 3-3 draw on Wednesday and leave the tie in equilibrium ahead of the return leg in Milan next Tuesday.
Inter began the game in spectacular fashion with Thuram’s back-heel finish within 30 seconds — the fastest ever UCL semi-final goal — giving the visitor’s an early lead.
Just as Barcelona were finding their footing, Dumfries struck an acrobatic goal in the 21st minute via a corner to put the Italian side two to the good.
Also Read: Inter’s Martinez likely to miss second leg
But barely three minutes later, Yamal sparked the home team to life. The winger, on his 100th appearance for the club, showed strength to shrug off Thuram, skill and speed to ditch Henrikh Mkhitaryan and then produced a precise finish into the far post, leaving Inter custodian Yann Sommer rooted to the spot.
The Blaugrana coach Hansi Flick showered praise on the young Spaniard for pulling them back into the game.
“In the big matches you see the quality of this player and he showed it today, it’s really good to have him,” said the German manager.
Ferran Torres then drew Barcelona level after a brilliant lob from Pedri found Raphinha in the box, who headed it into the path of Torres in the 38th minute.
Despite Barcelona’s dominance, Inter delivered a sucker-punch in the 63rd minute as Dumfries headed in from a corner. But it took less than two minutes for the Catalans to reply as Raphinha’s rasping effort smashed against the crossbar and then went in, off the back of a diving Sommer’s head.
Although the game ended all square, Yamal exuded confidence in his team’s ability to get to the final.
“I have always thought [the quadruple was possible], I have a lot of trust in the team... I think we will go through,” said Yamal.
When asked by CBS what separates him from the rest, Yamal simply said, “I try and enjoy myself, I think that is the secret, to enjoy it.”
100
No. of games Yamal, 17, has played for Barcelona
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