Few matchups in European football have delivered drama with the consistency of Barcelona versus Inter Milan. Though they’ve met only 16 times in competitive UEFA play, their clashes have been shaped by tactical contrasts, legendary figures, and knockout implications that echo across decades. From the muddy turf of 1960s Fairs Cup ties to modern-day Champions League thrillers, the fixture has evolved into a benchmark for high-stakes football.
| Competition | Matches Played | Barcelona Wins | Inter Wins | Draws | Barça Goals | Inter Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UEFA Champions League | 12 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 10 |
| Inter-Cities Fairs Cup | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 6 |
| Total | 16 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 27 | 16 |
Barcelona 4–0 Inter (1959, Inter-Cities Fairs Cup)
Their first meeting came in May 1959, during the quarterfinals of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. Barcelona, then led by Helenio Herrera—a man who would later become a legend at Inter—dismantled the Italian side 4–0 at Camp Nou. They completed the aggregate win with a 4–2 victory in Milan. Luis Suárez, the Ballon d’Or winner who later joined Inter, played a key role in the tie. It was an early marker of Barcelona’s European pedigree, and an omen of the tactical battles to come.
Inter 3–2 Barcelona (1970, Fairs Cup round of 16)
A decade later, Inter returned the favor. In the 1969–70 Fairs Cup, they pulled off a rare away win at Camp Nou, 2–1, before holding Barcelona to a 1–1 draw at San Siro. Roberto Boninsegna, one of Inter’s most prolific forwards of the era, struck in both legs. For Inter, it was a measure of revenge. For Barcelona, it was the end of a European run and a reminder that Italian resilience could undo Spanish flair.
Inter 3–1 Barcelona (2010, Champions League semifinal, first leg)
April 20, 2010. A date burned into both clubs’ histories. Pep Guardiola‘s Barcelona arrived in Milan as reigning champions, the face of a footballing revolution. Inter, led by José Mourinho, had other plans. Goals from Wesley Sneijder, Maicon, and Diego Milito powered a comeback after Pedro’s early opener. The final score—3–1—shocked the footballing world and set the tone for one of the decade’s most iconic ties.
Barcelona 1–0 Inter (2010, Champions League semifinal, second leg)
A week later, Mourinho’s Inter walked into Camp Nou and held the line. They parked every available body behind the ball, reduced to 10 men after Thiago Motta was sent off in the 28th minute. Gerard Piqué’s late goal made it 1–0, but Inter advanced 3–2 on aggregate. Mourinho’s celebration—arms wide, sprinting across the pitch—was a defining image of Inter’s run to the treble.
Barcelona 2–1 Inter (2019, Champions League group stage)
Luis Suárez turned a group-stage game into a personal highlight reel. Inter had taken a shock lead through Lautaro Martínez, but Suárez equalized with a volley that defied physics. His second came in the 84th minute, after a clever link-up with Lionel Messi. It was a reminder that this fixture could deliver knockout-level intensity even in the group stage.
Barcelona 3–3 Inter (2022, Champions League group stage)
Their most recent meeting may have been the wildest yet. Ousmane Dembélé gave Barcelona the lead, but Inter turned the game on its head through Nicolò Barella and Martínez. The match twisted again when Robert Lewandowski equalized, only for Robin Gosens to strike what looked like a late winner. Lewandowski scored again in stoppage time to rescue a 3–3 draw. The result, however, wasn’t enough—Inter advanced. Barcelona dropped into the Europa League.
