Inter Milan has advanced to the Champions League final after upsetting Barcelona in one of the greatest semi-finals of all time.
Midfielder Davide Frattesi, not a noted goal scorer, struck the winner in extra time as Inter won 4-3 on the night and 7-6 on aggregate across a scarcely believable two legs.
In the 99th minute, Frattesi showed superb composure to take his time and pick his spot past goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and send the San Siro into raptures on Wednesday (AEST).
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Lamine Yamal is congratulated by Ferran Torres after winning a penalty which is later overturned.
Lamine Yamal is congratulated by Ferran Torres after winning a penalty which is later overturned. Getty
Barcelona players slumped to the ground as Frattesi's teammates - including those on the bench - raced to celebrate with him.
Moments earlier, Frattesi had been encouraging the already loud San Siro crowd to make more noise and the atmosphere grew even more feverish after his strike.
"We said we'll be happy if this second tie is anything like the first one," Mark Bosnich said on Stan Sport.
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"Well, unbelievable. This is a tie for the ages. Unreal."
Inter were in control and 2-0 up at half time after captain Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu, via the penalty spot, found the back of the net.
But Barcelona, with Lamine Yamal pulling the strings, had other ideas as Eric Garcia, Dani Olmo and Raphinha struck three successive goals for the visitors to the leave the Italians in disbelief at the San Siro.
Raphinha's goal came in the 87th minute yet Inter refused to bow.
The unlikely figure of Francesco Acerbi - a 37-year-old centre back - popped up in the third minute of stoppage time to force extra time.
The first leg of the semi-final had been similarly chaotic and ended in a 3-3 draw in Spain.
The biggest talking point from the first half was the decision to award Inter a penalty after Martinez was brought down by Pau Cubarsi.
"My first thought was no penalty, my first thought after the first two replays, no penalty," Bosnich said.
"But if you watch it very closely, from that third angle we saw, what Martinez does really well - which is what all good strikers should do in that position - is he puts his body in between him, Cubarsi, and the ball. And then Cubarsi has to go straight through him.
Davide Frattesi celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal.
Davide Frattesi celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal. Getty
"That was the angle that was like 'oh, OK, he did.'
Inter will now play the winner of the Paris Saint-Germain vs Arsenal semi-final on Thursday (AEST).
PSG hold a 1-0 advantage from the first leg.
The final is in Munich on June 1 (AEST).
Inter lost the 2023 final to Manchester City and now get a shot at redemption.
MORE TO COME...