Yamal magic in Barca fightback

Thrice Barcelona trailed, the first time after 30 seconds, and yet they would feel that this Champions League semi-final first leg could have been theirs.

- Dhiman Sarkar

Inter Milan would have left Barcelona with similar feelings. Not just because they led thrice but because they could have scored more. 3-3 the night ended, the football jaw-droppingly wonderful at times. No semi-final this century has seen six goals being shared, as per Opta.

It was a clash of opposite styles, efficiency against exuberance, and it produced bursts of individual brilliance from Lamine Yamal and Denzel Dumfries that bordered on the outrageous and touches from Pedri, Marcus Thuram and Raphinha that were scarcely believable. Barcelona, a mix of fragile and fantastic with their high line and attacking intent, sought to suffocate Inter Milan.

Often 5-4-1 when out of possession, the Italian giants countered that by staying behind the ball and testing Barcelona with counter-attacks. Barcelona had 19 shots, nine on target; Inter had seven with three on target and a fourth that was marginally off-side.

Inter's third goal encapsulated how the night unfolded. Barcelona had threatened through Yamal but Inter's riposte through Dumfries forced a corner-kick which the right wingback headed in. It was their second corner-kick in 63 minutes and Inter had converted both.