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Francesco Acerbi rages at Inigo Martinez after Barcelona star appears to spit on Inter rival during Champions League clash
The Inter defender was left apoplectic.
Francesco Acerbi was left apoplectic after Inigo Martinez appeared to spit in his direction during Inter Milan’s pulsating Champions League semi-final victory over Barcelona.
The three-time European champions looked certain to be heading out of this year’s competition, with Barcelona holding a 3-2 lead on the night, deep into stoppage time at the San Siro.
Goals from Eric Garcia, Dani Olmo and Raphinha gave Barca a narrow advantage after Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu’s earlier efforts in a thrilling second leg.
But veteran Inter centre-back Acerbi, 37, had other ideas, rifling Denzel Dumfries’ cross into the roof of the net to force an added 30 minutes, where Simone Inzaghi’s men prevailed.
Second-half substitute Davide Frattesi was the hero for Inter in the first period of extra-time, curling an exquisite strike beyond Wojciech Szczesny to make it 7-6 on aggregate in front of a frenzied Milan crowd.
While the match is already being hailed as an all-time classic, there were unsavoury scenes at the end of first half after Calhanoglu converted from the spot to put Inter 2-0 in front on the night.
Replays of the immediate aftermath of the penalty appear to show Martinez spit at Acerbi as Inter’s players wheeled away to celebrate the goal.
