In a pulsating UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg, Barcelona and Inter Milan played out a breathtaking 3-3 draw at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium.
The 17-year-old winger, celebrating his 100th appearance for the Catalans, scored a stunning solo goal and terrorised Inter’s defence, earning high praise from both managers.
Inter Milan’s coach Simone Inzaghi hailed Yamal as a rare talent. “He’s a phenomenon, born once every 50 years,” Inzaghi said post-match. “We saw him for the first time tonight, and he caused us real problems. We doubled up on him, but that left us short elsewhere.”
Inzaghi also expressed concern over captain Lautaro Martinez, who limped off at half-time with an injury. “We have doubts about his availability for the second leg,” he added.
Barcelona’s Hansi Flick was equally effusive about Yamal. “He’s a genius, special in every way,” Flick said. “His goal and his actions in the first half were crucial to our comeback. It’s incredible to have a player of his quality.”
Flick’s side fought back from a two-goal deficit, showcasing resilience despite Inter’s early dominance.
The Nerazzurri, winless in their last 11 matches on Spanish soil, exploded out of the gate. Just 30 seconds in, Marcus Thuram’s audacious flick from Denzel Dumfries’ cross stunned Barcelona’s goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. Inter doubled their lead in the 21st minute when Dumfries acrobatically volleyed home after Francesco Acerbi’s clever flick.
Yamal sparked Barcelona’s revival, weaving through defenders to curl a sublime effort into the far corner in the 28th minute. Moments later, his fierce strike was tipped onto the bar by Inter’s Yann Sommer.
The hosts levelled before half-time when Raphinha’s header set up Ferran Torres for a composed finish.
Inter regained the lead in the 63rd minute through Dumfries’ towering header from Hakan Calhanoglu’s corner. But Barcelona responded instantly, Raphinha’s long-range rocket crashing off the bar and deflecting off Sommer for an own goal.
Both sides pushed for a winner, with Yamal striking the woodwork and Inter’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan seeing a goal disallowed for offside, but the scoreline held.
Recent posts on X from Barcelona’s official account celebrated Yamal’s “moment of magic” and hailed the team’s fighting spirit. Inter’s posts, meanwhile, focused on their “character” in securing a draw despite Martinez’s injury, with Inzaghi quoted as saying the second leg at the San Siro “will be a battle.”
The stage is set for a dramatic return leg, with both teams believing they can advance to the Champions League final. Yamal’s brilliance ensures Barcelona remain slight favourites, but Inter’s set-piece prowess and attacking threat make them formidable opponents.