Barcelona vs Inter Milan - Champions League: Live score, team news and updates as Ferran Torres pulls Spanish giants level after Lamine Yamal's stunner as hosts rally back from two goals down in a frenetic first half

Federico DiMarco's nightmare night is over.

I think he is swaying as he is substituted, just because Lamine Yamal has twisted him into knots.

He probably feels like you would when you ride the waltzers at your local fairground.

Maybe he is off to throw up, as Carlos Augusto replaces him.

OK, so this game has calmed down quite drastically.

I mean, for starters, I am actually getting some time to think about what I am going to write, as little is happening.

In that first half, I was just bashing out the first thing that came into my head when a chance happened.

It was relentless, but it isn't now.

Ohhhhh, you have to score that!

For the first time in what feels like forever, Inter finally foray forward and cause Barcelona some problems.

The ball is drilled across the area, and the hosts just can't get it clear before it reaches Federico DiMarco.

The Italian just needs to hammer the ball on target, but he blazes it over the bar.

What a chance!

Barcelona have survived the first minutes of this half... better than an hour ago.

The hosts will want to keep their momentum going from the first half and just kill this game off.

Can they do it?

Thank goodness, that break went quickly.

As soon as that half ended, I just wanted this to start. Let's hope this one is as good as the last.

Both teams have made some changes as Ronald Araujo is on for Barcelona, while Mehdi Taremi is on for Inter.

Gerard Martin and Lautaro Martinez don't come back for the second half as it gets underway.

Right, let's watch this goal then!

You have heard me ramble on about how ludicrously good Lamine Yamal is. I mean, it's hard not to with how he is playing.

Well, now it's time to see why.

This goal, to get Barcelona back into the game, is just silly. How he has danced through Inter like that and bent one home is beyond me.

Unreal. I could watch this on loop.

Rio Ferdinand, former Man United defender, on TNT Sports:

Lamine Yamal's putting on a clinic. If Robert Lewandowski is playing he's getting on the end of two or three of them.

I'm honestly sitting here a bit bereft after what I have just watched.

At one point in the night, I didn't even think Lamine Yamal was going to be taking to the pitch at all.

So, the fact that he has just produced one of the best individual performances at this level that I have seen in a long time has me stuffed.

That solo goal to get Barcelona back into this, which I will show you in a bit, was just daft.

This boy is built different. Special.

And breathe...

I think I am going to need a lie down in these 15 minutes. I knew it was going to be a crazy game, but my word, this is another level.

Barcelona have come from two down to level things in their own backyard, but they could easily be leading.

Inter are lucky more damage hasn't been done.

There are going to be just two minutes of stoppage time.

That means just two more minutes of Lamine Yamal pulling down the pants of Federico DiMarco.

What's going on here?

Lautaro Martinez is in bits on the pitch, surely he must have pulled a muscle or something.

He's almost inconsolable.

But just as it looks like he is going to be substituted, he opts to go back onto the pitch.

He can barely move...

Ah, what a shame for Jules Kounde.

The full-back looks in real pain, and there is just no way that he can continue.

He rips off his hand tape in frustration before he is replaced by former Man City man Eric Garcia.

Yet another defensive injury for Barca.

That pass from Pedri for the equaliser really was silly.

I couldn't even see that run from Raphinha, but I guess that is why I am sitting behind a laptop and not on the pitch.

Still, there is a difference between seeing the run and perfecting the pass to get to the player.

One hell of a ball.

What did I tell you?

I said that equaliser was coming sooner rather than later, and moments later it arrives.

It's Ferran Torres with it, and it comes after a beautiful move from Barcelona. Pedri whips the ball to the back post, Raphinha cushions the header for Torres, and he smashes home.

This game is ridiculous, it really is.

This equaliser is coming, surely?

Barcelona are absolutely battering Inter Milan now, something is going to have to give soon.

Yann Sommer makes yet another brilliant stop, this time to deny Dani Olmo, who looked destined to score.

What a stop.

Inter just can't get a hold of the ball now.

I don't think the visitors have even entered Barcelona's half since their second goal, let alone have an effort on goal.

They are just trying to dig their heels in now; their defence is under siege.

Barcelona just look like they will score with every attack now.

The hosts have finally woken up, and now Dani Olmo decides to have a pop at Yann Sommer.

It's a decent effort, but the Swiss keeper collects the ball comfortably.

I sense an equaliser coming...

I just can't keep up here.

All I am going to say is that I told you so. I just knew this was going to be a belter and we would get a lot of goals.

There is so much action, and both teams look like they could net a hatful.

I. Am. Loving. It. Just like McDonald's.

Lamine Yamal is a joke, he really is.

That groin certainly isn't hurting anymore, he has decided to kick into another gear. This is mental.

He produces another sensational moment of quality to send DiMarco for a hot dog before having a pop.

If not for Yann Sommer, that's another spectacular goal from Yamal, but the Swiss goalkeeper produces one hell of a stop.

What a game this is.

Oh. My. Word.

This place is not silent anymore; it is absolutely rocking after an outrageous moment of magic from Lamine Yamal.

Honestly, that is incredible.

The youngster just decides 'screw it, I'm going to go alone'. He picks up the ball off the right, dances through the bodies, and bends the ball in off the post.

I am starstruck, wow. Game on.

The Estadi Olympic is as flat as a pancake.

I thought Shrove Tuesday was last week, but obviously it's not going by this atmosphere.

You could hear a pin drop, they are shocked.

Wow. Wow. Wow.

That is absolutely sensational from Denzel Dumfries, and Inter Milan are in dreamland.

The Dutchman morphs into prime Cristiano Ronaldo from six yards out to acrobatically overhead kick the ball into the back of the net following a corner.

Inter are flying, and Barcelona are in all sorts of bother.

Oooooft, now that is so close...

Ferran Torres is looking dangerous, and he absolutely hammers an effort from a corner toward the far corner.

Honestly, it's hit with some venom and looks as though it will rip the side-netting off.

But the ball just inches past the post.

It's fair to say, Lamine Yamal is absolutely fine.

He looks as threatening as ever down the right, flicking the ball left and right.

The youngster even does his signature outside of the boot pass, which shows just how fine he is.

Nothing to worry about.

Barca may be pants at the back, but my word are they electric at the other end.

They sweep from back to front in a flash, and all of a sudden, they make you forget how nervy they have looked.

Ferran Torres takes a touch in the box and looks to bend one into the bottom corner.

But his effort flashes just wide.

Barcelona are an absolute mess at the back, jeez.

Inter finally get the ball again and as soon as they move forward, the hosts look so nervous.

A ball is whipped into the box, and it's like when kids play hot potato in the field, they don't know what to do with it.

Eventually, it ends with Henrikh Mkhitaryan having a pop, and it being deflected wide.

Chaotic, to say the least.

It's been all Barcelona since the goal; Inter haven't had a kick.

I'm pretty sure the visitors don't give a single hoot about that, though; they love sitting back and defending leads.

Barcelona are going to have to be ridiculously patient tonight; they won't want to rush this.

But by the looks of things, they are.

Ally McCoist, former Rangers striker, on TNT Sports:

Magnificent. The finish itself is absolutely first-class. I cannot tell you how difficult that is. On the half-volley, just as it hits the ground Marcus Thuram redirects the ball - beautiful.

Well, that wasn't in the script.

Barcelona looked shellshocked as the ball hit the back of the net there; the defenders couldn't believe what had happened.

The hosts are looking to respond instantly, mind, and Lamine Yamal looks like his thigh isn't causing him any problems.

I have a feeling we are in for a real cracker.

WHAT A START FOR INTER!

That is pure filth from Marcus Thuram and the visitors silence the Olympic Stadium after just 30 seconds.

Inter break through that Barcelona high line, and the ball is sent into the six-yard box.

The ball is behind Thuram, but he produces a magical moment to flick the ball into the bottom corner.

Who saw that coming? Not me.

This place is bouncing.

The racket the fans are making is bonkers, until the ground falls silent to remember Pope Francis, who passed away last week.

Unlike last night, the silence is observed beautifully as a violin plays in the background.

There is then applause, chants break out, and off we go!

So, I have an update on Lamine Yamal...

As things stand, Yamal is set to take his place in the Barcelona line-up, according to UEFA.

Oh, and just as I type that, you can see he has headed into the tunnel ahead of kick-off.

Very interesting...

Let's see if the problem affects him in any way; I personally hope it doesn't, so we can watch him at his best.

In full flow, Yamal balls out.

Steve McManaman, former Real Madrid star, on TNT Sports:

It doesn't look good at all; it looks as if it's a muscular problem. If that is, they certainly won't take any chances with him.

Oh, wait a minute... this doesn't look good.

Lamine Yamal looks as though he may have picked up a knock in the warm-up; he doesn't look a happy boy.

The winger trudged off the pitch holding his thigh before the rest of his team-mates finished their warm-up.

Could this mean Barcelona need to make a late change to their starting line-up?

It would be a monster blow if they do...

Raphinha is in the form of his life.

Never did I think when Raphinha was at Leeds that he could become one of the world's best players.

Don't get me wrong, I always thought he was a nifty little player, but I don't think even Leeds fans saw this coming.

Raphinha is now one of the best players in the world, and could even have a crack at winning the Ballon d'Or.

The Brazilian has 12 goals in the Champions League this season, and another tonight would put him level at the top of the competition's scoring leaderboard.

Can he bag again? I reckon he will.

Ally McCoist, former Rangers striker, on TNT Sports:

This Barcelona side has got some gold dust and magic about it. Lamine Yamal, 100th appearance at 17. It is remarkable.

Guys, I'm starting to get excited. Are you?

The players are just entering the shooting practice part of their warm-up, which is always the best bit.

Not only because you can see what kind of form the strikers are in, but because it means it's nearly over.

I just wish we could fast forward to kick-off!

Steve McManaman, former Real Madrid star, on TNT Sports:

Barcelona will need the goals, because when they go to the San Siro they will need a lead. We saw what Inter did to Bayern.

What a mental week it has been in Spain, eh?

The country has been crippled by a nationwide power cut that has gone on for days.

You'd think something that would mean that games would have to be cancelled, right? I mean, where would the electricity come from to work the floodlights?

Well, luckily, the power has started to stutter back in stages, and the country is going back to normal.

It means this game goes ahead as normal, thank goodness.

Lamine Yamal, Barcelona winger, on comparisons to Lionel Messi:

I don’t want to compare myself with anyone, and even less with Messi. I leave that to all of you (reporters).

I try to follow my own path. Obviously, I look up to him as the best footballer ever that he is, but I don’t do the comparison.

You know, in the video game FIFA, which is now called EA FC, when players retire in career mode, they are regenerated into a new youngster.

It's almost like the game's version of a reincarnation.

So, say Cristiano Ronaldo retired in the game, then a new Portuguese youngster would pop up out of nowhere and be ridiculously good.

Well, this is what I think of when I think of Lamine Yamal.

When Lionel Messi left Barcelona, did he just pass his genes down to the Spanish winger? It feels like it.

The boy is a joke. He is mature beyond his years and has reached a level that the majority of elite players never do in their careers.

My question is, could he become as big as Messi in his career?

I mean, maybe not quite, but he could certainly be the best player in the world for many years.

Jeez, this is crazy. My mind is actually blown.

Lamine Yamal is only 17 years of age and he is about to make his 100th appearance for Barcelona.

When I was that age, the only sport I was good at was 'Bulldog' with my schoolmates during break.

If that were a legit sport, I reckon I would be world champion.

But it isn't, and now I am reporting on one of the most ridiculously talented youngsters this sport has ever seen.

What a player.

My word, this really is some atmosphere.

I know I have already spoken about the Barcelona fans lining the streets, but this really is something else.

It looks like there is some sort of festival or something, or maybe a celebration.

The party hasn't even started, but they are already partying.

Barcelona have one striker they really need to look out for tonight.

That's right, Lautaro Martinez. Yes, I know, it's hardly a wild shout. Not like he is new on the block, and I am telling you something you don't know.

He has been a baller for some time, but recently he has taken things up a notch.

Martínez has scored in each of his last five appearances for Internazionale in the Champions League.

If he finds the net here, he’ll be just the second South American player to score in six consecutive outings in the competition, after Edinson Cavani.

Can he equal history?

Simone Inzaghia has rung the changes.

The Italian makes five changes to the side that were beaten by Roma at the weekend.

The big news is that Marcus Thuram is back up top to partner Lautaro Martinez.

Francesco Acerbi is the only defender to keep his place in the back three.

Why change a winning formula?

Hansi Flick has opted to start the same 11 players that led the club to the Copa del Rey title on Sunday.

Yes, that means Lamine Yamal keeps his spot, as does Ferran Torres, who is down the middle.

Still no Robert Lewandowski.

Oh, Lamine... what have you done?

I clocked Yamal's new hairdo during the Copa del Rey final, and my genuine reaction was 'what is that?'

It's not a great look, and it looks like he's not happy with it either, going by this facial expression.

Well, either that or he is just focused on what is a massive night in his young career. Probably the latter, right?

Anyway, it's nearly team news time.

Would you look at these scenes!

You know it's a big game when fans line the streets pre-match with pyro to welcome their teams.

The noise being generated is blooming loud too, these Barcelona fans are well up for this.

This is going to be a tasty night of footie, I can feel it.

Giorgos Karagounis, former Inter Milan star, speaking to SpinGenie:

Inter have a great team all over the pitch, they have Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Federico Dimarco, Denzel Dumfries and more. Inter are truly a team that knows what they want to do. Teams don’t want to play against this Inter team because they are very hard to beat.

They are first in Serie A, they have been consistent for three years now. You can see the work done by Simone Inzaghi. He is doing a great job and so is the whole club.

My word, has he been there that long?

It feels like just yesterday that Simone Inzaghi took the hot seat at Inter, but it's actually been four years.

I mean, what a job he has done in that time. Inter are a club transformed under his stewardship.

Tonight, Inzaghi is set to take charge of his 50th UEFA Champions League match at Inter.

It will make him the seventh Italian coach to reach this milestone, the most for any nation.

His 26 wins are already the most by an Italian manager through their first 50 Champions League matches.

Can he extend that record this evening? It's a tough ask, but why not?

Wow. Wow. Wow.

I know that every Barcelona fan wants the Nou Camp to be finished and ready again, but the Estadi Olympic really is a thing of beauty.

I mean, come on, just look at it.

I would play big money just to get the chance to play on that pitch with fans all around me.

For now, there are none, and it's all peaceful, but later it is going to be bouncing.

I'm going to miss Barcelona playing in it when they move back.

As soon as this tie came to fruition, my mind went back to a time when we first saw Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho do battle.

The real ones will know what I am on about, right?

There are just some semi-finals that are remembered more than others, and the one between Barcelona and Inter Milan in the 2009-10 campaign is etched into a lot of people's memories.

I was only nine when they faced off, but I remember it as clear as day.

Both were chasing history, but only one would end up in the books. This was Mourinho at his brilliant best, as both a coach and a wind-up merchant.

Inter won the first leg 3-1, coming from behind to send the San Siro into a frenzy. But it was the second leg that this tie is remembered for.

Mourinho's side produced a defensive masterclass with just 10 men. They sat back and soaked up incredible pressure in one of the craziest atmospheres I have ever heard.

It took until the last 10 minutes for the pressure to tell, with Gerard Pique pulling one goal back for Barca. Former Stoke striker Bojan then thought he had completed the comeback in stoppage time, but the goal was ruled out for handball on Yaya Toure.

Then came the celebrations.

Once the whistle went, Mourinho sprinted onto the pitch like he was Alan Shearer with one arm in the air. Then the sprinklers came on to try and dampen spirits, but it didn't work.

Mourinho went on to call it the 'most beautiful defeat of my career', and Inter went on to win their first European Cup since 1972.

It's time to run it back!

Simone Inzaghi, Inter Milan boss, speaking on Tuesday:

Forget everything about the last week. For four years, these players have done extraordinary things and they keep doing them. The last week doesn't delete that work. It's been a great season. We've analysed the last three games. We have to do better, but after four years we're [still] here competing.

[Until last week], we were fighting for every trophy when some said it would be hard to make the top four in Italy. You will never hear me speak ill of these boys and the group. Thanks to them we have exceeded all expectations over the last four years. We are against probably the best team in the world right now. We must be very clean technically. We need a lot of components to be in place to be able to compete against such a strong team.

Flick is a great coach who has organised the team really well in attack. They get the ball back quickly when they lose it. They have excellent forwards, midfielders and a ton of players who have come through the academy. So, maximum respect, but no fear, we will look them in the eye, like we did against Bayern [Munich in the quarterfinal]. There are great teams in the competition, but we want to have our say.

It's fair to say, it's not been a great week for Inter Milan.

Now, when I usually cover Simone Inzaghi's side, I laud them as one of the best teams in Europe, and there is a reason for that. This season, they have been.

That obviously doesn't vanish overnight, but they have lost their last three games in all competitions, including a 3-0 loss in the Milan derby to a pretty poor Rossoneri.

I mean, you just know that would have stung for everyone involved with Inter.

But they try and have to put that behind them. Easier said than done.

Inter are aiming to make their second Champions League final in three years, which would be some feat for a side who are not exactly littered with superstars.

However, they are a proper unit, and despite the rough recent form, they will have confidence that they can break down this Barcelona side with their brilliant progressive play.

What a game this would be to bounce back in, eh?

Hansi Flick, Barcelona boss, speaking on Tuesday:

Inter are one of the best teams in Europe, a difficult opponent. They don't just defend well but also counter dangerously. We have to be ready.

It's the semi-finals of the Champions League and both teams want to get through. We are two games away from the final and we can't be tired. Everyone is focused knows how important this semi-final is. The Copa del Rey final was demanding for us, it's true but the victory can help us. We have to give 100 per cent.

When you win a final against Real Madrid you are naturally happy and emotional. Now, we have to turn a page. We have the chance to reach the Champions League final, a dream for everyone. So, we have to focus on that be at our best.

Just how good are Barcelona?

Well, the answer is pretty damn straightforward. They are excellent. A team that has confidence flowing through the whole squad, playing with smiles on their faces.

At the end of last season, I'm pretty sure nobody expected Barcelona to be as good as they are now. Xavi was leaving, they were struggling financially - and still are - and they were a team full of holes that needed repairing.

So, we may as well call Hansi Flick 'Bob the Builder' because my word, he has fixed it.

Barcelona just belt the ball into the net with regularity. Even if they are leaky at the back, the mentality of 'we are going to score more than you' just works for them.

They are four points clear at the top of LaLiga, have just won the Copa del Rey against Real Madrid, and are now just two games away from a Champions League final.

The 120 minutes of intensity and drama from their 3-2 win in the memorable El Clasico on Sunday may have taken it out of them, but you'd be a fool to think they still can't deliver tonight.

Expect goals, and lots of them.

Well, last night didn't exactly go to plan for Arsenal, did it?

After how they dealt with Real Madrid at the Emirates earlier this month, it felt like the Gunners faithful could be in for another special night.

But it ended up being one to forget.

The Gunners were outclassed from minute one; they were given a proper dressing down. Ousmane Dembele took just four minutes to silence what had been a bonkers atmosphere ahead of kick-off.

And they never found their voice again.

Frankly, Arsenal are lucky that Dembele was the only player to score; it could have been much worse. Goncalo Ramos and Bradley Barcola both had monster chances to kill the tie late on, but blew it.

While I tried to make it sound like it was an exciting evening of footie, my word, I was bored in that second half. I mean, I was close to falling asleep at times.

Let's hope that tonight provides more entertainment, eh?

Again, again, again, and on and on...

If you guys like electro pop band Confidence Man, then you will know exactly why I picked those lyrics to kick off this blog.

Apart from the fact that they are from the song On & On, which is an absolute banger that I have had the pleasure of seeing live, it also just signifies that we just want the Champions League drama to keep on coming.

I mean, last night wasn't the most thrilling, I can't lie, but it's very rare that we get more than one snooze-fest at this stage of the competition.

And well, the fact that Barcelona are involved this evening almost makes it a certainty that we are in for an exciting night, rather than a boring one.

The Spanish giants' first test after downing Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final is to take on Inter Milan in the last four of European football's premier competition.

Yeah, not easy, eh?

These two sides certainly know how to entertain the fans, especially Barca, so I am itching for this to get going.

Right then, are you ready? Cause I am. Let’s get this show on the road.