Inter Milan clawed back control of their season with a dramatic 3-3 draw against Barcelona in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final.
The match held at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, saw Denzel Dumfries emerge as the standout performer in a pulsating encounter.
Under pressure following three straight defeats and the collapse of their domestic treble hopes, Simone Inzaghi’s side came out swinging.
Dumfries, returning to the starting XI after a month out, proved decisive from the outset, teeing up Marcus Thuram’s back-heel opener before scoring a sensational scissors-kick to stun the home crowd and put Inter 2-0 ahead.
Barcelona, spurred on by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and a lively Ferran Torres, roared back to level before halftime.
But Dumfries wasn’t done. He rose above the Blaugrana defense to head home a Hakan Calhanoglou corner, giving Inter a 3-2 lead and completing a remarkable personal performance.
Yann Sommer’s unfortunate own goal off a powerful Raphinha strike restored parity, but Inter weathered the final moments with composure.
The result puts qualification firmly within reach, a win at San Siro next week will book their place in a second Champions League final in three seasons..
