The 2024-25 Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League semifinals kicked off with an exciting first-leg encounter, setting the stage for a dramatic second leg.
On April 29th in London, Paris Saint Germain narrowly came out with the win, defeating the Arsenal Football Club 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to an early goal by Ousmane Dembélé. The frenchman capitalized on a gap in Arsenal’s defense and found the back of the net after a brilliant possession by Luis Enrique’s side in a sequence of 26 passes. The goal not only secured PSG a needed win but also added to PSG’s tally of a fourth victory over English teams.
“I don’t know what happened to us, the team was completely lost,” FHS Sophomore and Arsenal supporter Kieron Chapa said.
Now, with the second leg looming over at the Parc Des Princes Stadium, it promises to be a thrilling battle for a desired spot in the final. The other semifinal game saw Football Club Internazionale Milano face-off against Fútbol Club Barcelona in a thrilling match with nonstop action. Inter Milan struck immediately, with Marcus Thuram scoring a goal in the first minute. This goal was followed by another goal, this time by Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries. However, Barcelona quickly responded with Lamine Yamal dribbling past veteran Henrikh Mkhitaryan and slotting the ball past the keeper into the bottom left corner. Just 17 minutes later, Ferran Torres finished off a well-worked team move, equalizing the score for Barcelona and making the score 2-2.
“I was so happy in that moment I ended [up] spilling my drink, but I couldn’t care less [because] we just tied,” FHS sophomore and Barcelona fan Matthew Barrera said.
In the last third of the match, Dumfries scored right into the back of the net for the second time during this game and became the first Inter Milan player to ever score twice in a knockout round of the Champions League. However, their promising lead was leveled when their goalkeeper, Yan Sommer, scored an own goal.
“Pure luck, but I’m so happy it happened in our favour, it was a great match, and I’m ready for the second one. It’s gonna be good,” Barrera said.
The second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinal between Inter Milan and Barcelona on May 6, 2025 was filled with drama.
Inter Milan took the lead in the 21st minute through Lautaro Martínez. They then doubled their lead in the 45th minute with a penalty courtesy of Hakan Çalhanoglu. Barcelona responded in the second half with goals from Eric García in the 54th minute and Dani Olmo in the 60th minute, leveling the score. Raphinha’s strike in the 87th minute gave Barcelona a 3-2 lead, but Inter Milan equalized in stoppage time with a goal from Francesco Acerbi. Davide Frattesi’s goal in extra time sealed Inter’s 4-3 win, giving them a 7-6 lead on aggregate.
The other semifinal match took place on May 7, 2025. PSG took the lead in the 27th minute with a long-range strike from Fabian Ruiz. After many missed attempts from both teams, PSG doubled their lead with a goal from defender Achraf Hakimi in the 72nd minute. Arsenal shortly responded with a goal from Bukayo Saka in the 76th minute, but sadly it was not enough and they fell short.
With a 2-1 second leg win and a 3-1 victory on aggregate, PSG are through to the final to face Inter Milan on May 31, 2025.
