Our Champions League Awards honour the best – and worst – of this week’s semi-final action, as Arsenal, PSG, Barcelona and Inter Milan compete for a place in the final.
Moment of the Week
Do we pinpoint one moment? Or celebrate the entirety of a captivating contest between Barcelona and Inter Milan?
Their semi-final is perfectly poised after a thrilling tie, in which caution was thrown to the wind in an end-to-end first leg at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium. The competition’s latter rounds can often be cagey affairs, but from the moment Inter opened the scoring with the fastest goal in a Champions League semi-final there was no looking back.
Marcus Thuram’s brilliant backheel to score after just 30 seconds was curtain raiser for an all-time classic, with Denzel Dumfries doubling Inter’s lead with an acrobatic effort on 20 minutes. Inter had conceded just five goals in 12 games previously, but Barcelona fought back into the game. A fine effort from the untouchable Lamine Yamal pulled one back and Ferran Torres stabbed in to equalise before half-time.
After the break, Dumfries headed in his second to restore Inter’s advantage, only for Raphinha’s thumping effort from distance to crash off the bar and in off Yan Sommer to equalise again. Six goals. Unadulterated Champions League drama. This was a modern classic.
Player of the Week
It’s frightening to think just how good Lamine Yamal could become.
On the biggest stage, Yamal again showed just what an outrageous talent he is. He was devastating during the first half, tormenting Federico Dimarco to such extent that he was mercifully withdrawn just minutes after the break. The 17-year-old twisted and turned Dimarco inside out, scoring a stunning solo goal to bring Barcelona back into the game and twice hitting the woodwork. He was at the heart of everything good Barcelona did in a performance that reaffirmed that this is a future Ballon d’Or winner we’re watching.
Cristiano Ronaldo at 17 years old: 19 appearances, 5 goals, 4 assists.
Lionel Messi at 17 years old: 9 appearances, 1 goal, 0 assists.
Lamine Yamal at 17 years old: 100 appearances, 22 goals, 33 assists. pic.twitter.com/1NOaeZTdZ7
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 30, 2025
Goal of the Week
That man, again.
After outrageous goals from Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries fired Inter Milan two goals ahead inside 20 minutes, Barcelona played their trump card.
The dancing feet, retreating defenders, and left-foot finish that kisses the far post – we’ve seen this in Barcelona colours before…
LAMINE YAMAL PULLS ONE BACK 🤩
Yamal glides through the Inter defence and hits a mesmerising finish on his 100th Barcelona game 🔥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/e1lFJA13y7
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 30, 2025
Save of the Week
There’s something about Gianluigi Donnarumma and England.
The Italian man-mountain often turns into a unbeatable force on English soil and was at it again as PSG beat Arsenal at the Emirates.
The French champions will return to the Parc des Princes with a 1-0 lead, in large part thanks to Donnarumma’s heroics. This save from Leandro Trossard could prove critical in the tie.
What a save from Gianluigi Donnarumma! 🧤#UCL #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/PyjCGAMFrb
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) April 30, 2025
Stat of the Week
The omens do not look good for Arsenal in Paris.
Can Mikel Arteta get the Gunners over the line in a semi-final?
0 – Arsenal have failed to win any of their last seven semi-final matches in all competitions (L5 D2) and failed to score in the last six in a row. Blanks. pic.twitter.com/xqwzmZmMCD
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 30, 2025
Quote of the Week
High praise for Lamine Yamal from Rio Ferdinand.
Ronaldo Nazario’s record as the youngest-ever Ballon d’Or winner has never been in more danger.
As a pure football talent I’m going as far as to say I think Lamine Yamal is on another level to any player playing the game in the top 5 leagues in world football.
17yrs old – Truly unbelievable pic.twitter.com/T0ErTFJPQw— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) April 30, 2025
A week to forget for…
Federico Dimarco is certainly not going to be the last full-back to endure an evening like this against Lamine Yamal…
This moment of magic from the 17-year-old to leave Dimarco floored summed up his nightmare night in Catalonia.
LAMINE YAMAL ALMOST GETS ANOTHER!
He takes on Federico Dimarco with brilliant skill before hitting the crossbar, this kid is special 👏
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/vJi4K2PRDn
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 30, 2025
Read – Every footballer to play for both Barcelona and Inter Milan
See more – Remembering when a 21-year-old Ronaldo Nazario won the Ballon d’Or
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