Inter were leading twice at Camp Nou only to be pegged back by a Robert Lewandowski brace, but the point still gives them a big advantage in the battle to reach the Champions League Round of 16.
Now all they have to do is beat Viktoria Plzen in the next game at home and they will mathematically be in the knockouts.
The Nerazzurri emerged victorious 1-0 at San Siro with a Hakan Calhanoglu strike, but there was also controversy due to a late handball appeal that dragged on all week going into Camp Nou. Marcelo Brozovic, Romelu Lukaku and Joaquin Correa were out injured, while the hosts missed Memphis Depay, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo and Hector Bellerin.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan had to get back for a decisive goal-line clearance on nine minutes, as Robert Lewandowski’s header had beaten Andre Onana from a corner.
Inter were also extremely unlucky not to take the lead on 17 minutes, as Edin Dzeko volleyed a Hakan Calhanoglu free kick onto the underside of the bar from six yards and it bounced off the line.
Onana beat away an Ousmane Dembele scorcher and Denzel Dumfries wasted a Nicolò Barella counter by blasting straight at Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Onana made a double save, parrying a Sergi Roberto rocket from distance and with help from Federico Dimarco preventing Lewandowski getting the rebound.
Raphinha really should’ve done better with his volley wide from 10 yards, while Onana rushed off his line to close down Pedri.
Barcelona did get the breakthrough moments later, Raphinha and Sergi Roberto combining down the right side of the by-line to pull back for Dembele’s tap-in.
Raphina’s curler was just past the far top corner after Onana flapped at a cross, but Inter got back on level terms after the restart.
Alessandro Bastoni’s inspired ball was floated over the top, Gerard Pique waved his arms to assure Ter Stegen was covered, not realising Barella was right behind him ready to control and fire into the roof of the net from six yards. Barella became only the second Inter player to score at Camp Nou in six visits, after Lautaro Martinez in October 2019.
They almost turned it around too, as Dzeko’s volley on a Dimarco cross was charged down desperately by Gavi. On the next two resulting corners, Ter Stegen made tricky saves on Calhanoglu and the Lautaro Martinez header.
The goal was coming and it arrived from Lautaro Martinez, who chested down a Calhanoglu ball over the top and shrugged off Eric Garcia to fire in off the inside of the near post. It ended his eight-game drought that lasted since August 30 and was his first goal in the Champions League this season.
Lewandowski had the ball in the net, but only after wandering offside, then stung Onana’s gloves from a tricky angle. Dembele was perhaps fortunate to only get a yellow card for his crunching tackle on Matteo Darmian.
Barcelona did equalise when Stefan de Vrij’s poor clearance fell straight to Lewandowski to drill past Onana.
However, Inter weren’t done yet either and Lautaro Martinez on the a long Onana clearance rolled across from the right to find Robin Gosens to fire it back across Ter Stegen for 3-2. All the substitutes ran onto the pitch to celebrate.
Despite that being the 89th minute, there was still time for Barca to get back on level terms again with Lewandowski’s towering header on an Eric Garcia cross.
Kristjan Asllani had the chance to win it again deep into stoppages, sent clear by Lautaro Martinez only to be denied by an out-stretched Ter Stegen foot, while with the last kick of the game a Gosens diving header was palmed round the near post.
Barcelona 3-3 Inter
Dembele 40 (B), Barella 50 (I), Lautaro Martinez 63 (I), Lewandowski 82, 92 (B), Gosens 89 (I)
Hmm. I see a lot of similarities between Xavi and Phd Maccabi Max Saint Haifa. One likes 1G back back with the down down of course. The other is practicing an outdated 2G side side and more side side tika taka. Panic and chaos for the last 5 minutes whilst doing all game. Feel for Lewandowski. A great player surrounded by garbage. Credit to Inter. 5G calcio on the counter with purpose and precision.
Hmm. I see a lot of similarities between Xavi and Phd Maccabi Max Saint Haifa. One likes 1G back back with the down down of course. The other is practicing an outdated 2G side side and more side side tika taka. Panic and chaos for the last 5 minutes whilst doing nothing all game. Feel for Lewandowski. A great player surrounded by garbage. Credit to Inter. 5G calcio on the counter with purpose and precision.
Won last week thanks to the ref. Tonight blew a lead twice vs a terrible defence. Chapeau.
It proves that Inter is better than Barca…now Inter win their head to head. Win against Viktoria Plzen will make Inter go through to Next UCL round regardless the result of the last match in the group.
What a result for Inter !
Taken 4 Points off Barcelona across both matches.
Go on Inter !
😂 Maccabi Max. At least Xavi was a really great player. With a better coach and Lukaku returning this side should be going further. The core of the team is solid and the spirit is there.
@Rosario Look at the crying mentality did to Barcelona. Even as they were lucky to draw they are still disrespectful. But I have a strong feeling both Milan and Barca will meet each other in Europa League because of their arrogance. Inter controlled Barca despite playing them at their highest point with Inter at their lowest with key players missing.
Xavi should be dropped to u19 to learn more coaching experience
Entertaining match with a depleted Inter showing tremendous heart and resilience.
@Rosario maybe turn on the pitch sprinklers again to wash away those Uefalona tears.