The UEFA Champions League 2024/2025 is approaching its climax. After intense quarter-finals, the four strongest teams in Europe have clashed in semi-final duels that promise to be true football spectacles.
In the first semi-final, Barcelona faced Inter Milan, and in the second — Arsenal took on Paris Saint-Germain. Both first-leg matches took place on April 29 and 30, 2025, delivering unforgettable emotions and intrigue ahead of the return legs.
Barcelona vs Inter Milan: Goal Fest at Camp Nou
The first semi-final between Barcelona and Inter ended in a thrilling 3–3 draw, offering fans a spectacular show. Inter opened the scoring just 30 seconds into the match through Marcus Thuram — the fastest goal ever scored in a Champions League semi-final.
Denzel Dumfries doubled the visitors’ lead, but Barcelona responded with goals from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres. In the second half, Dumfries scored again, putting Inter back in front, but Raphinha equalized to make it 3–3.
“It was a match to remember. Both teams showed a high level of play and a strong will to win,” said Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick.
Particular attention should be given to the performance of 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, who not only scored a goal but also became the youngest player in Champions League history to reach five goals in the tournament. His performance earned praise from football experts and fans around the world.
Arsenal vs Paris Saint-Germain: Tension at the Emirates
In the second semi-final, Paris Saint-Germain claimed a narrow 1–0 victory over Arsenal. The only goal came from Ousmane Dembélé, who capitalized on a defensive error by the hosts.
Arsenal had a chance to equalize, but Mikel Merino’s goal was disallowed after a VAR review for offside.
“We’re disappointed with the result, but there’s still another match to play, and we’ll do everything we can to reach the final,” commented Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta.
PSG, on the other hand, demonstrated strong defensive organization and attacking efficiency, which helped them secure an important away victory ahead of the return leg in Paris.
Looking Ahead to the Return Legs
The second-leg matches of the Champions League semi-finals will take place on May 6 and 7, 2025. Barcelona will travel to Milan to take on Inter at the San Siro, while Arsenal will visit the Parc des Princes in Paris to try and overturn the narrow deficit against PSG.
Both ties remain wide open, and fans eagerly await the outcomes that will determine the finalists. The 2025 Champions League Final will be held on May 31 in Munich at the Allianz Arena.
Conclusion
The 2024/2025 Champions League continues to provide fans with unforgettable moments and top-tier football. The first-leg semi-finals showed that all four teams deserve a place in the final, and the battle for the trophy will be fierce until the very end. The return matches will decide who will clash in the ultimate showdown in Munich.
