BARCELONA FIGHTS BACK FOR DRAW AGAINST INTER IN SENSATIONAL FIRST-LEG MATCH

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal moves between two Inter players during their match in Barcelona, Spain, on Wednesday. | REUTERS

Barcelona and Inter Milan played to a compelling 3-3 draw in a high-octane Champions League semifinal first-leg clash on Wednesday, with teenage star Lamine Yamal shining bright.

The Italian side raced to a two-goal lead with superb strikes from Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries, before the unstoppable Yamal pulled Barca back into it with a sublime solo effort.

Ferran Torres evened the score for the five-time champion, and although Inter nosed ahead through Dumfries again, a Yann Sommer own goal left the tie on a knife-edge at the halfway stage.

"Letting in that many goals (here) is unacceptable, but we also have to give Inter credit, they did very well," said Barca's Raphinha, whose fierce drive forced the own goal.

"The important thing is we leave with a result where everything can happen."

Despite losing three domestic games in a row and seeing its treble hopes crumble, Inter showed resilience and quality in Catalonia.

"After three defeats in a row we saw the real Inter tonight, we played with heart and I'm proud," Dumfries told Amazon Prime Video.

Inter was desperately hoping Thuram would be fit to play after a thigh injury, and he showed precisely why, scoring the fastest ever Champions League semifinal goal after 30 seconds.

Dumfries aimed a low cross towards Thuram and Inigo Martinez slipped at just the wrong time, allowing the France striker room to finish with an impudent back-heel flick.

Quadruple-chasing Barcelona seized control and pushed forward, roared on by the nervous Olympic stadium crowd.

Yamal, in his 100th Barcelona appearance, was leading the charge.

Inter scored its second against the run of play. Francesco Acerbi nodded on a corner and Dumfries reached the dropping ball first to score with a stunning acrobatic effort for the 2023 runner-up.

Barcelona teams over the past few years may have crumbled, but Hansi Flick's youthful side is not burdened by the series of European failures since the club's last title in 2015.

Least of all teenage wizard Yamal, who pulled Barcelona back into the game just three minutes later with a wonderful individual goal that made him the youngest player ever to score in the semis.

On the eve of the game, the Spaniard rejected comparisons to all-time Barca great Lionel Messi, but his goal was straight from the Argentine's playbook.

Yamal shook off Thuram, floated inside from the right flank and past Henrikh Mkhitaryan into the box, drawing defenders towards him, but before they could stop him, he stroked a perfect shot in off the left post.

Yamal nearly repeated the trick minutes later. This time he darted outside, pausing to let Federico Dimarco lunge past him and off the pitch.

The youngster flashed a shot from a tight angle that Sommer tipped onto the crossbar.

"Yamal is a phenomenon of the kind born every 50 years," Inter coach Simone Inzaghi said.

Barca pulled level when Pedri hooked a ball into the area for Raphinha to head across goal and Torres to convert from close range after 38 breathless minutes.

Kounde limped off before halftime in a blow for Barca, while Inter captain Lautaro Martinez also came off hurt. Inzaghi said he "doubts" if he will be ready for the return.

Inter took the sting out of the game early in the second half and then sucker-punched Barca, scoring from another corner, with Dumfries' header bouncing in off Dani Olmo.

Barcelona equalized within two minutes, with Yamal stepping over a corner on the edge of the box, allowing it to run to Raphinha.

The Brazilian's rasping effort smashed against the crossbar and then in, off the back of the unfortunate diving Sommer's head.

Inter's Mkhitaryan had a goal ruled out for an extremely tight offside, later saying he would think about it "maybe for the rest of my life," and Yamal hit the bar again as the sides could not be separated.

"We will have our chance (in Milan)," said Flick. "This is our goal, we will fight for it."

The second leg takes place next Tuesday, with the winner to face Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal on May 31 in the Munich final.

- AFP-JIJI

COPA DEL REY: BARCELONA, ATLÉTICO MADRID PLAY OUT THRILLING 4-4 DRAW IN FIRST LEG OF SEMI- FINAL

Barcelona surged to a 4-2 lead against Atletico after conceding two goals in the opening six minutes, only for Diego Simeone’s side to fight back in the closing minutes of the pulsating encounter in Barcelona on Tuesday.
Atletico Madrid conceded a two-goal lead then fought back from two down in a wild 4-4 draw with Barcelona in a Copa del Rey semi-final first leg thriller on Tuesday.

Barcelona's Gavi (centre) fights for the ball with Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, left, and Marcos Llorente. AP

After Diego Simeone’s side scored twice in the opening six minutes through Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann, Barca raced through the gears in a high-octane performance.

The superb Pedri Gonzalez pulled one back with Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez and Robert Lewandowski going on to score.

Marcos Llorente netted for Atletico before Alexander Sorloth struck in the 93rd minute.

- Agence France-Presse

ARSENAL EYE TRANSFER FOR BARCELONA STAR WHO 'REJECTED LIVERPOOL AND CHELSEA' - BUT THERE'S A CATCH

Arsenal are reportedly lining up a move for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, who has previously rejected interest from Premier League rivals Liverpool and Chelsea

Arsenal are reportedly keen on signing Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, who has previously turned down offers from rivals Liverpool and Chelsea. The Uruguayan centre-back has become a fan favourite at the Catalan club due to his leadership skills and robust challenges.

A hamstring injury has kept him sidelined for much of the season, with the 25 year old only recently making his return in the 4-0 victory over Barbastro last weekend. Despite this, he is yet to fully win over head coach Hansi Flick, who prefers Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez as his central defensive duo.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Arsenal are preparing a January bid for Araujo, something the player is said to be seriously considering. It's reported that Araujo has grown frustrated with certain situations at Barcelona, causing concern among the club's hierarchy.

While Barcelona would be hesitant to agree to a loan deal this winter, they would consider parting ways with Araujo if they receive a substantial and irresistible offer. With just 18 months left on his contract and extension talks stalled, Barcelona have already rejected an offer from Juventus this month due to his importance to the squad.

However, it's suggested they would entertain offers around €70million (£58million), reports the Mirror.

Unlike Juventus, Arsenal have the financial strength to make the move happen. Araujo has always been "curious" about testing himself in the Premier League, and Mikel Arteta's style of play is said to suit him.

However, it's worth noting that Arsenal already have a strong defensive line-up, with their focus this transfer window being on securing a world-class striker. Araujo's decision to turn down a move to the Premier League in 2022, despite lucrative offers from both Liverpool and Chelsea, will certainly endear him to the Gunners' fans if a transfer does go ahead.

According to Sport, he rejected the two English powerhouses when his previous contract was nearing its end, choosing instead to sign a new deal for less money than he would have earned in the Premier League. In an interview with Cadena SER earlier this week, Araujo avoided speculation about his future, but confirmed that talks were underway regarding a possible extension at Barcelona.

"We are talking with the club about my renewal," he said. "But I am fully focused on playing again and getting minutes under my belt."

- Kasra Moradi