For 23 seconds, AC Milan were brillant. For 89 minutes and 37 seconds, Barcelona showed why they are widely considered the best team in the world. Then, somehow and out of nowhere, Milan found a goal in the 92nd minute to earn a draw. Barcelona will be kicking themselves for not scoring more than two and then for giving away goals right at the start and right at the end, but there's nothing they can do about it now. Milan have gone to Camp Nou and while certainly not the better team, they were even on the scoreboard as the two teams played to a 2-2 draw on the opening day of UEFA Champions League group stage play.
Barcelona Vs. AC Milan, 2011 UEFA Champions League: 92nd Minute Stunner Earns Milan Shocking Draw
Alexandre Pato started the match of by getting the ball and sprinting half the length of the field. He did it faster than anyone else so, shocker, he was in alone on goal. A simple finish and Milan had punched Barcelona in the gut. The Italians were ahead, 1-0, and the match was only 23 seconds old.
That punch in the gut only woke Barcelona up though. From that point on they were in control and it began to tear Milan apart with their trademark passing. Unfortunately for the home side, they couldn't turn it into goals. it was a struggle to find the frame and when they did, the shots were right at Christian Abbiati.
Finally, Messi got Barcelona the goal they needed. He got past essentially the entire Milan defense, darting past them all before chipping over the top for himself and then crossing to Pedro Rodriguez for the simple tap-in. It was simply brilliant from Messi as he did all the work. Most importantly, Barcelona were even.
It wasn't even for long after the break. David Villa's screamer forced a good save from Abbiati that earned Barcelona a corner kick. That corner kick led to Villa being fouled and a free kick, which Villa stepped to. He lofted it perfectly, cleared the wall and dipping down under the bar. Abbiati stretched for it, but there was no stopping Villa's shot.
Barcelona brought more and more pressure. They were dominant, but they couldn’t find a goal. Barcelona were frustrated, but it didn’t seem like it would matter. Yes, they were more than a goal better than Milan, but they were going to get three points so what was the worry?
Then in the 92nd minute, Barcelona gave away a corner kick. The ball was played in and with two Barcelona players challenging for it, Thiago Silva came flying in and beat them all to it. He snapped his header down and hard, giving Victor Valdes no chance as Milan pulled off the stunning and undeserved draw in Spain.
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