For 22 minutes, it seemed as though Barcelona’s dream of reaching the Champions League final was slipping away. But then, 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal stepped up with a moment of pure brilliance, sparking a spirited comeback as Barcelona fought back from two goals down to draw 3-3 against Inter Milan in the semi-final first leg at Camp Nou on Wednesday night.
Inter Milan, last year’s finalists, looked dominant early on. Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries each delivered clinical finishes to silence the home crowd and give the Italian side a two-goal cushion. With Robert Lewandowski sidelined due to injury, and a youthful lineup on display, even the most loyal Barca fans began to fear the worst.
Barcelona hadn’t reached the semi-finals since 2019, and it’s been ten years since their last Champions League final triumph, led by Lionel Messi in Berlin. For a while, it seemed that a return to Germany this time for the May 31 final in Munich—might remain just a dream. But fear didn’t last long at least not for Yamal. Just three minutes after Inter’s second goal, the teenager delivered a stunning response. Marking his 100th appearance for the club, Yamal bulldozed past Thuram, danced around Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and fired home with power and precision.
Yamal’s goal reignited Barcelona, lifting both the team and the fans. Ferran Torres equalized soon after, slotting in from close range to bring the scores level. Though Dumfries netted his second to restore Inter’s lead, a thundering strike from Raphinha ricocheted off the crossbar and bounced in off Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer, registering as an own goal and levelling the match at 3-3.
Yamal, the catalyst behind Barcelona’s turnaround, didn’t stop there. He struck the woodwork twice and left Federico Dimarco chasing shadows on multiple occasions. Inter’s defense was stretched, as multiple players were sent to double up on the winger, all in vain. “I haven't done anything yet, I have so much ahead of me to do,” Yamal told CBS Sports after the game. “I have always thought (the quadruple was possible), I have a lot of trust in the team... I think we will go through.”
Inter manager Simone Inzaghi labelled him a “phenomenon” and Barcelona coach Hansi Flick hailed him as a “genius.” Those who watch him regularly weren’t surprised. “We know what Lamine is like, he doesn't surprise us... he's a very decisive player,” said Ferran Torres. Brazilian forward Raphinha added, “We all know the quality he has, how much he helps us.”
Yamal now has 15 goals and 24 assists in 49 matches this season. Though he trails behind Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha in pure numbers, it’s the sheer excitement he brings that has fans and pundits talking. His playstyle, filled with flamboyance and confidence, resembles Neymar more than Messi another Brazilian entertainer who once lit up Camp Nou.
Fresh off two stunning assists in the Copa del Rey final win over Real Madrid, Yamal gave his first-ever pre-match press conference on Tuesday. Though he distanced himself from Messi comparisons, his goal bore shades of the Argentine maestro's finest. "In big matches, you see the quality of this player," said Flick. "He showed it today it’s really good to have him." It echoed his performance at Euro 2024, where he scored a pivotal semi-final goal against France, a key step in Spain’s path to lifting the trophy.
Yamal, who made his debut at 15, continues to wow fans with his flair, confidence, and joy on the pitch. When asked about his mindset, he shared, “I try and enjoy myself, I think that is the secret, to enjoy it.” He recently dyed his hair blond, reminiscent of Neymar’s style. “I do it so the time ahead of the game passes quicker... I do it because I'm bored at home,” he joked. Now, with the tie delicately poised at 3-3, the football world turns its attention to next Tuesday’s return leg in Milan. Barcelona are still in the hunt for a historic quadruple, and with Yamal in this kind of form, nothing seems impossible.
