Barca's young hero came to their rescue once again in a classic European encounter with the Italian champions
Barcelona twice came from behind to earn a 3-3 draw in a thrilling first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday. Lamine Yamal was the star of the show, but his magic wasn't enough to secure victory on what was an enthralling evening in Catalunya.
Inter stunned the home side after just 30 seconds as Marcus Thuram flicked in a superb close-range finish, and they doubled that lead 20 minutes later as Denzel Dumfries spectacularly volleyed home after Francesco Acerbi got his head to a corner.
Barca came roaring back, however, as Yamal produced an outstanding solo goal that saw him take on three defenders before curling home a shot via the inside of the post. The 17-year-old almost repeated the trick, too, only for Yann Sommer to tip his effort from a tight angle onto the crossbar. Hansi Flick's side weren't to be denied, however, as Ferran Torres finished off a fine move involving Pedri and Raphinha to equalise before half-time.
The hosts continued to force the issue, but again fell behind just after the hour mark when Dumfries rose highest to head in from a corner. However, the Nerazzurri were ahead for less than two minutes this time, as a rocket of a shot from Raphinha crashed off the bar and bounced in off Sommer's back for an own goal.
Yamal hit the woodwork again while Raphinha tested Sommer from long-range late on, but Barca couldn't force a winner, meaning the teams head to San Siro with the scores all-square.
GOAL rates Barca's players from Montjuic…
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Wojciech Szczesny (6/10):
Had no chance for any of the goals and swept up well on a couple of occasions when Inter looked to get in behind Barca's high line.
Jules Kounde (5/10):
Poor clearance allowed Inter to create the opening goal, but was otherwise pretty solid. Looked to Yamal whenever he got the ball until injured forced him off shortly before the break.
Pau Cubarsi (6/10):
Sublime in his passing out from the back. Still developing defensively, but rarely put a foot wrong.
Inigo Martinez (6/10):
Recovered well after slipping to allow Thuram the time to open the scoring. Dealt with a couple of testing long balls over the top before filling in admirably at left-back in the second half.
Gerard Martin (4/10):
Never looked wholly comfortable and was beaten in the air by Acerbi for the second Inter goal. Taken off at half-time.
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Frenkie de Jong (7/10):
Lost a couple of aerial duels, including one in the build-up to the opening goal, but knitted everything together excellently when the ball was on the ground. Finally looks back to his best.
Pedri (7/10):
Another impressive showing from Europe's best midfielder this season. Superb cross that led to Ferran's equaliser was his main highlight, while any criticism for not getting his head kicked off as Dumfries scored his first seems misplaced.
Dani Olmo (6/10):
Tested Sommer on a couple of occasions and was industrious as the No.10, but couldn't unlock the Inter defence all too often before coming off midway through the second period.
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Lamine Yamal (9/10):
An absolutely outrageous first half was capped by his sensational solo goal, while he came within Sommer's fingertips of socring a second. His crossing caused panic throughout, even if his influence waned a little after the break.
Ferran Torres (7/10):
Excellent late run afford him a tap-in to equalise in the first half and that seemed to give him confidence a his link-up play improved from then on.
Raphinha (7/10):
Picked up dangerous positions throughout and claimed assists for the second and third goals via two vastly different touches. Not his best recent game, but still proved decisive.
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Eric Garcia (6/10):
Solid after replacing Kounde at right-back.
Ronald Araujo (6/10):
Flung himself into challenges and made a couple of key blocks after coming on at half-time.
Fermin Lopez (6/10):
Buzzed around the Inter box as Barca chased a winner.
Andeas Christensen (N/A):
Replaced Cubarsi in the closing stages.
Gavi (N/A):
Gave Pedri the final 10 minutes off.
Hansi Flick (5/10):
This high line may well prove costly come the end of the season, but with Yamal on the pitch, his team will always have a chance.
