Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain set for Champions League Final

The line-up for the UEFA Champions League Final is now confirmed after the completion of the semi-finals last week.

Paris played host to the second leg of the semi-final between PSG and Arsenal on Wednesday, after the French side overcame Arsenal in London 1-0 a week prior. However, the week began in Milan, where a thrilling 3-3 draw in Catalonia had set up one of the best semi-finals in the competition’s history between Inter and Barcelona.

It was Inter who struck first in the 21^st minute. Denzel Dumfries broke through Barcelona’s defence and squared the ball to Lautaro Martinez, who slammed the Nerazzurri into the lead. Just before half-time, Inter were awarded a penalty after a VAR review determined Pau Cubarsí impeded Martinez in the box. Hakan Çalhanoğlu sent Wojciech Szczęsny the wrong way to put Inter two goals ahead for the second time in the tie.

Barcelona, as they did in the first leg, soon found a way back into the game. Eric García volleyed home a cross from Gerard Martín to halve the deficit. The same combination almost worked again shortly after, but a world-class save by Yann Sommer denied García. Not to be thwarted twice, the visitors would find their equaliser just five minutes later, when Dani Olmo headed in Martín’s beautiful cross.

In the 87^th minute, Barcelona looked to be heading for Munich when Raphinha put them in front for the first time in the tie with a low drive past Sommer. That goal equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of twenty-one goal involvements in a single Champions League campaign. The Blaugrana almost sealed victory when youngster Lamine Yamal struck the post minutes later, and still had momentum going into stoppage time.

However, the drama did not stop there. Up from the back, 37-year-old Inter defender Francesco Acerbi scored his first-ever European goal to level the tie in the 93^rd minute. Just as it looked like the game would go to extra time, Yamal found himself in on goal again, but failed to convert.

Simone Inzaghi has now led his Inter side to two Champions League finals in three seasons

Having come back from the dead minutes earlier, Inter once again took the lead in extra time. Substitute Davide Frattesi calmly placed the ball into the corner to send the home supporters into rapture. The drama was not done there, as Sommer denied Yamal again to secure Inter’s progression to the final. Simone Inzaghi has now led his Inter side to two Champions League finals in three seasons, most recently in 2023 when they were beaten 1-0 to Manchester City. He’ll be hoping his side can harness semi-final sensation to go all the way at the third time of asking.

In the other semi-final, Arsenal headed to Paris knowing they had to overturn a one goal deficit. They started brightly, as Declan Rice’s close-range header went wide of Gianluigi Donnarumma’s post. Just over a minute later, Gabriel Martinelli’s volley was saved by Donnarumma following Thomas Partey’s long throw-in. Partey’s hurled efforts kept the pressure on PSG, and they had their goalkeeper to thank again as the Italian brilliantly saved Martin Odegaard’s powerful strike.

Down the other end, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s curling effort reverberated off the post, before Fabián Ruiz did one better to break the deadlock. The midfielder’s volley deflected off William Saliba and found the corner of the net to double PSG’s aggregate lead.

Donnarumma continued to deny Arsenal in the second half, pulling off a spectacular save from Bukayo Saka. PSG were given a golden chance to extend their lead from twelve yards after VAR spotted a handball by Myles Lewis-Skelly, but David Raya saved Vitinha’s spot-kick to keep Arsenal in the tie.

PSG, who have never won the Champions League, will enter the final as the favourite

The French Champions weren’t held back for long. Achraf Hakimi’s seventh goal of the season doubled PSG’s lead on the night, increasing their advantage to three on aggregate. Arsenal were given late hope through Saka’s goal, but the winger failed to convert Riccardo Calafiori’s cross to put real pressure on the hosts.

PSG secured victory to book their place in Munich for their second-ever Champions League final.

While defeat in Paris marked the end of Arsenal’s UCL journey, they should be proud of this season’s campaign. It was their first semi-final since 2009, and they got there by knocking out holders Real Madrid.

PSG, who have never won the Champions League, will enter the final as the favourite. Inter Milan’s relentlessness and clinical precision in front of goal gives them more than a chance, and will make for a thrilling showpiece between two exceptional sides. The match takes place on May 31^st at the Allianz Arena in Munich.