Supporters were treated to a goal-laden spectacle as Barcelona and Inter Milan played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Camp Nou. Inter came out of the blocks flying, with Marcus Thuram turning in a cross using the back of his heel just seconds into the match — a move reminiscent of Alexandre Pato’s famous quick-start strike.

Denzel Dumfries, who had provided the assist for the opener, added to Inter’s tally in the 21st minute with a stunning bicycle kick.

Barcelona responded swiftly, with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal reducing the deficit in the 24th minute. The prodigy skipped past two defenders before curling a shot in off the far post. Moments later, he came agonisingly close to an equaliser but saw his effort bounce off the crossbar.

Ferran Torres eventually drew Barça level in the 38th minute, bringing the first half to an exciting close. However, Inter were dealt a blow as they lost captain Lautaro Martínez at half-time due to a knock.

Despite the setback, the visitors regained the lead in the 63rd minute, with Dumfries heading in from a corner. Barcelona struck back almost immediately through Raphinha, whose long-range strike ricocheted off the crossbar and then deflected into the net off the diving goalkeeper's head.

Following the match, Inter skipper Lautaro Martínez was asked about ongoing comparisons between Lamine Yamal and his Argentine compatriot Lionel Messi. Martínez, who plays alongside Messi at international level, was unequivocal in his response.

“For me, Leo [Messi] is incomparable, because Leo is and will always be the best player of all time,” he said. “I’m not going to make that comparison. All I can say is that Lamine is an important player — we’ve all seen him, we all know what he can do.”

Yamal himself had also addressed the comparisons in the build-up to the match, dismissing any notion of likening himself to Messi.

“I don’t compare myself to him, because I don’t compare myself to anyone — and certainly not with Messi,” Yamal said during the pre-match press conference.

“I don’t think the comparison makes sense, especially not with Messi. I’m going to enjoy myself and simply be who I am,” he added.