‘A player like him only comes in 50 years’ – Inzaghi heaps praise on Lamine Yamal after phenomenal performance vs Inter

Barcelona versus Inter Milan delivered another semi-final Champions League classic last night, with the Catalans needing to bounce back twice to seal a 3-3 draw.

Young winger Lamine Yamal was sensational for Barcelona, scoring a jaw-dropping solo effort while creating chances for his teammates with his effortless dribbling and playmaking.

Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram applied a beautiful finish to a Denzel Dumfries cross to open the scoring early.

Barca needed a response. Yamal took the initiative and set up Ferran Torres with a gorgeous in-field pass, but his international colleague fired wide.

Inter doubled their lead via Dumfries, who produced an outstanding finish from a set-piece routine to make it 2-0.

However, Yamal led the comeback. He picked up the ball, jinxed past two into the box and curled another beauty into the back of the net.

The goal came on his 100th appearance for the Catalans, and a little over two years since he made his first-team debut.

Yamal is the youngest player to score in a Champions League semi-final, breaking Kylian Mbappe’s record from 2017 (18 years and 140 days). Torres completed the comeback.

Inter retook the lead via another set-piece routine, with Dumfries scoring again.

Fortunately for Barca, Raphinha scored a belter to make it 3-3 and break Lionel Messi’s record for the most goal contributions in a Champions League campaign.

Yamal dazzled on the night, eliminating players at will. The 17-year-old was always ready to take on his man and earned plaudits from Inter boss Simone Inzaghi after the game.

The Italian tactician said (via Marca): “A player like him only comes in 50 years.” Inzaghi revealed they had to drop deep to close the space Yamal was finding and double up on him.

Manchester City striker Erling Braut Haaland was in awe of Yamal, posting a clip of the teenager in action with a caption hailing him as incredible.

Barca manager Hansi Flick said Yamal showed them a way back into the game. He will be relying on the young forward to deliver the goods at the San Siro in the second leg.