In what is already being talked about as one of the greatest Champions League semi-finals of all time, Inter Milanedged past Barcelona 7-6 on aggregateto reach the final in Munich. As one BBC Sport reader messaged to say: "Football needed that tie." But where does it rank among other memorable semi-final showdowns? We've picked 10 of the best - including Tuesday's humdinger at the San Siro - which you can read about below and then rank them in order of your favourite. Davide Frattesi celebrated in spectacular style after putting Inter 7-6 up on aggregate in extra time Inter Milan produced a dramatic late turnaround to beat Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate in a thrilling, all-time classic of a Champions League semi-final. With just two minutes of stoppage time left, Inter trailed 3-2 on the night and were heading out when 37-year-old centre-back Francesco Acerbi smashed a cross into the roof of the net to level the tie. And substitute Davide Frattesi won it for the Italian champions, curling a beautiful left-footed shot into the bottom corner in the first period of extra time. Barca had earlier recovered from 5-3 down on aggregate to lead 6-5 - having also trailed 2-0 and 3-2 during an equally remarkable first leg. Real Madrid beat Liverpool in the final in 2022 A thrilling first leg at Etihad Stadium saw Pep Guardiola overcome his old rivals on his most recent pursuit of Champions League glory. His side battled with Real Madrid to take a 4-3 lead into the second leg. In a game which was not short of chances, Riyad Mahrez extended City's advantage at the Bernabeu to leave Carlo Ancelotti's men needing two goals just to take the tie to extra time. Substitute Rodrygo kick-started an incredible turnaround, putting two efforts past Ederson in as many minutes right at the end of normal time. To Manchester City's disbelief they now had to put up with a fully enthused Madrid side, who managed to grab a place in the Champions League final thanks to a 95th-minute penalty from Karim Benzema. Pure drama. Liverpool went on to beat Tottenham 2-0 in the 2019 final Finalists the previous year, Jurgen Klopp's side looked as though they were heading out after a goal from Luis Suarez and a Lionel Messi double - including a dream free-kick - condemned them to a 3-0 first-leg loss at the Nou Camp. Liverpool needed a second-leg miracle. Usual starters Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino were missing - but up stepped Divock Origi. The striker pulled one back in the first 10 minutes and, as belief rose inside a fervent Anfield, midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum popped up with two goals in two minutes to level the tie. Rarely have you seen Barcelona so rattled. Messi was as anonymous as he was omnipresent just a week earlier, and when Origi swept in Trent Alexander-Arnold's quick corner with 11 minutes left the incredible had become reality. Tottenham have not reached the Champions League last four since 2019 Ajax had been the breakout side of 2018-19, beating Real Madrid and Juventus to set up a tie with Tottenham. So it was perhaps no surprise when they left London with a 1-0 lead. In Amsterdam things went from bad to worse for Tottenham. With no Harry Kane up front, they were facing a mountain to climb when Matthijs de Ligt and Hakim Ziyech made it 3-0 on aggregate before half-time. Lucas Moura inspired a magnificent comeback. The forward scored twice in the space of four minutes to leave the visitors needing one goal to go through, and after Jan Vertonghen had headed against the post, Moura's low drive completed his hat-trick to give his side victory on the away goals rule and set up an all-English final against Liverpool. Robert Lewandowski scored a first-leg treble as Borussia Dortmund knocked out Real Madrid in 2013 This was the first year Jurgen Klopp came to the attention of many in the UK, with Borussia Dortmund scoring twice in added time to beat Malaga in the previous round. Still, they weren't fancied to pull up too many trees against Real Madrid, but produced a remarkable first-leg display at the Westfalenstadion. Robert Lewandowski - who would leave a year later for free - scored four times as Real were routed 4-1. The Polish forward was too mobile for Pepe and Sergio Ramos, scoring a second-half treble in front of the yellow wall. Real needed a 3-0 win in the second leg to go through but a fine performance from Klopp's men looked to have done enough. However, two goals in the last 10 minutes, from Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos, ensured a nervy finale as Dortmund just about hung on. John Terry saw red as Chelsea held on to beat Barcelona in 2012 The first leg at Stamford Bridge saw Barcelona come close, but it was Chelsea, through Didier Drogba, who edged ahead 1-0. Back to the Nou Camp and it was the anchorman Sergio Busquets who popped up with a tap-in to level the aggregate scores. It was one-way traffic and soon Chelsea were seriously up against it when captain John Terry saw red for a knee in the back of Alexis Sanchez. Lionel Messi then teed up Andres Iniesta to make it 2-1 on aggregate and Chelsea needed a goal. Ramires was the unlikely man to find it, a superb finish to chip Victor Valdes - all before half-time. Messi then missed a penalty, planting it against the crossbar, before Barcelona, facing defeat on away goals, were caught on the break. Fernando Torres had the whole half to run into, rounded Valdes and rolled in to cap a remarkable win. Avram Grant led Chelsea to their first Champions League final Chelsea came up against their previous semi-final rivals Liverpool, who knocked them out in the last four in both 2004-05 and 2006-07. In a cagey first leg, Liverpool had a one-goal lead thanks to a close-range shot from Dirk Kuyt. However, Chelsea were offered a lifeline in the dying minutes as John Arne Riise nodded a clearing header into his own net. At Stamford Bridge, Didier Drogba gave the Blues the lead in the opening half but opposing forward Fernando Torres levelled after the break. Extra time was needed and Frank Lampard converted a penalty to put Chelsea 3-2 ahead on aggregate before Drogba stepped up again to score his second of the night. Ryan Babel's audacious effort reduced the deficit but it was not enough and Liverpool would not make another semi-final until 2017-18. Kaka scored three goals over the two legs A fantastic start to the tie for Manchester United saw Cristiano Ronaldo put them ahead in the first 10 minutes. But then Kaka entered the scene. The 2007 Ballon d'Or winner collected a pass and glided past United with ease before planting a fine low shot into the far corner. It was a Kaka masterclass and the Brazilian added a beautiful solo goal with his flair too much for United defenders Gabriel Heinze and Patrice Evra. Wayne Rooney did get a leveller and then powered in a superb shot from long range in stoppage time to give United a slender 3-2 lead at the halfway stage of the tie. At the San Siro, it was Kaka once again who proved the difference and his delicious left-footed drive put Milan back ahead on away goals early on. Clarence Seedorf then beat Edwin van der Sar from the edge of the area and Alberto Gilardino provided the coup de grace. Alessandro del Piero starred as Juventus squeezed past Real Madrid in 2003 The first leg was in Madrid and Ronaldo opened the scoring with a superb finish from the edge of the area. Juventus grabbed an away goal on the stroke of half-time when David Trezeguet stabbed in a deflected shot from Alessandro del Piero. Real were back in front when Roberto Carlos' piledriver went through a sea of players and it was on to Turin. Trezeguet spurred Juve's second-leg comeback as his close-range effort put the home side ahead on away goals. Real needed a goal, on came Ronaldo, and he won a penalty with a trademark body swerve. Up stepped Luis Figo, but Gianluigi Buffon saved his spot-kick. It was the key moment as within five minutes Pavel Nedved had outpaced Fernando Hierro to fire in, and while Zinedine Zidane scored against his old team, it was too late. Andrew Cole sealed Man Utd's memorable win against Juventus in 1999 The 1999 Treble win for Manchester United is etched into the public consciousness, even if the final against Bayern Munich was largely quite dull - until the incredible finale. The two-legged semi-final against Juventus was dramatic from start to finish. The first leg at Old Trafford saw future Chelsea boss Antonio Conte strike the Italian giants into an early lead before a second-half United siege finally bore fruit when Ryan Giggs hammered into the roof of the net in the last minute. With the tie all square at 1-1, Juve were favourites in the second leg, even more so when Filippo Inzaghi scored twice in the first 11 minutes. Game over? Nobody told Roy Keane. His header gave United hope and he led by example throughout, despite picking up a yellow card that would rule him out of the final. Dwight Yorke headed United level on the night - and ahead on away goals - before half-time in this classic encounter. Inzaghi had a hat-trick 'goal' correctly ruled out for offside, before Andrew Cole tapped in to seal a famous win for United. Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app. There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.
Where does Inter v Barca rank among best-ever semi-finals?
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Inter Milan's Dramatic Victory Over Barcelona Sparks Debate on Greatest Champions League Semi-Finals"
TruthLens AI Summary
In a thrilling Champions League semi-final, Inter Milan triumphed over Barcelona with a dramatic 7-6 aggregate victory, marking the match as one of the most exciting in the competition's history. The game was filled with twists and turns, including a last-minute equalizer from Inter's Francesco Acerbi, who leveled the score at 3-3 just before stoppage time. This late goal sent the match into extra time, where substitute Davide Frattesi delivered the decisive blow with a stunning left-footed shot that found the bottom corner of the net. Barcelona, after initially trailing 5-3 on aggregate, had momentarily taken the lead at 6-5, showcasing their resilience in a match that had the fans on the edge of their seats. The semi-final has sparked discussions about its place among the greatest in Champions League history, prompting comparisons to other memorable encounters in the tournament's past.
The article reflects on other notable semi-finals that have captivated audiences, like the 2019 clash between Liverpool and Barcelona, where Liverpool staged a remarkable comeback at Anfield to overturn a three-goal deficit. It also highlights the 2018-19 semi-final between Ajax and Tottenham, which featured a stunning late turnaround by Tottenham to reach the final on away goals. Furthermore, classic matches involving teams such as Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Chelsea are discussed, showcasing the drama and unpredictability that characterize Champions League semi-finals. The piece encourages readers to consider where this latest showdown between Inter and Barcelona ranks among these historic matches, illustrating the enduring excitement of the Champions League and its ability to produce unforgettable moments in football history.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights a thrilling Champions League semi-final match between Inter Milan and Barcelona, which ended in a dramatic 7-6 aggregate victory for Inter. It invites readers to reflect on this match's significance in the context of historical semi-finals, suggesting a blend of nostalgia and excitement surrounding the event.
Purpose of the Article
The main objective appears to be celebrating the intensity and drama of this particular semi-final, while also engaging fans in a discussion about its place among the greatest matches in Champions League history. By framing the match as a classic, the article aims to enhance the emotional connection fans feel toward the sport and its history.
Public Perception
The article seeks to create a sense of excitement and pride among football fans, especially those supporting Inter Milan. By emphasizing the clash's dramatic narrative—such as the late goals and the fight back from both teams—it reinforces the notion that football can deliver unforgettable moments. This aligns with a broader cultural narrative in sports, promoting the idea that every game can be a historic event.
Hidden Agendas
While the article primarily focuses on the match's excitement, there is little indication of any hidden agendas. However, it could be argued that such a narrative might distract from less favorable aspects of the sport, such as controversies surrounding team management, player transfers, or financial issues faced by clubs.
Reliability of the Information
The information presented in the article is largely factual, recounting the events of the match with specific details. However, the subjective nature of the narrative—calling it one of the greatest semi-finals—introduces an element of bias. Thus, while the core facts are reliable, the interpretation may reflect a favorable bias toward the event.
Cultural Resonance
The excitement generated around the match may resonate particularly with passionate football communities, especially among Inter Milan fans and those who appreciate high-stakes matches. The article serves to energize discussions among supporters and encourages them to share their own memories of iconic matches.
Market Impact
In the broader context of football, articles like this can influence market dynamics, particularly regarding merchandise sales and ticket prices for future matches. Fans may feel inspired to attend games or purchase related products after such thrilling narratives, thus having an indirect impact on club revenues.
Global Context
While the article centers on a specific match, its implications resonate within the global football landscape, emphasizing the enduring appeal of the Champions League. The match’s excitement reflects current trends in sports where competitive narratives draw significant attention from media and fans alike.
Use of AI in Writing
While it cannot be definitively stated that AI was used in crafting this article, the structured narrative and ability to engage readers suggest a potential use of AI tools for drafting or editing. AI could enhance readability and focus on key dramatic moments, ensuring the content is engaging for a broad audience.
Overall, the article communicates a vibrant and thrilling account of a major football event, celebrating the spirit of competition and the unpredictability of sports. It successfully engages fans and enriches the ongoing narrative of football history.