Barcelona fight back to draw six-goal Champions League thriller with Inter

BARCELONA :Barcelona twice battled back to draw 3-3 at home against Inter Milan in a rip-roaring first leg of their Champions League semi-final at Montjuic Olympic Stadium on Wednesday.

Inter Milan made an explosive start, opening the scoring within the first minute courtesy of a cheeky back-heel goal from Marcus Thuram. The visitors extended their lead in the 21st minute with Denzel Dumfries finding the net with an acrobatic volley from a corner.

However, an electrifying Lamine Yamal led Barcelona's fightback, unleashing a superb strike from inside the box after a clever run from the right to reduce the deficit three minutes after Inter's second goal.

Yamal went close again, hitting the post from close range before Ferran Torres levelled the score in the 38th minute with a first-time finish.

Despite Barcelona's dominance, it was Inter who regained the lead in the 64th minute when Dumfries headed home from a corner. The hosts responded immediately, as Raphinha's thunderous strike from outside the box hit the woodwork before ricocheting off the back of Inter keeper Yann Sommer and into the net to restore parity.

The result leaves everything to play for in the return leg at the San Siro next Tuesday, as both teams seek a place in the final in Munich against either Arsenal or Paris St Germain.

'DUTY TO WIN'

"When you play at home like we did, the sensation is that we should have managed to earn a better result," Raphinha told Movistar Plus.

"We can’t concede that many goals, especially at home. Sure, you have to give praise to our opponents who are strong and played well tonight but we are Barca and it’s our duty to win at home, that’s how it is.

"But the result is not that bad and it leaves it all open for the return leg in Milan