Inter Milan forward Samuel Eto'o, left, of Cameroon, challenges for the ball with Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez during a Champions League semifinal first leg soccer match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy,Tuesday, April 20, 2010.
Barcelona's Pedro Rodriguez, n. 17, scores during a Champions League semifinal first leg soccer match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy,Tuesday, April 20, 2010.
Barcelona's attempt to becoming European soccer's first repeat champion in two decades was jeopardized with a 3-1 loss to Inter Milan on Tuesday night in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals.
Barcelona appeared fatigued as the game went on, perhaps from a 450-mile bus trip the team was forced to take. Flights were grounded across Europe following the volcanic eruption in Iceland, and Inter may have to take a similar trip for the second leg of the total-goals series in Barcelona next Wednesday.
Wesley Sneijder, Maicon and Diego Milito scored for Inter, seeking to become Europe's champion for the first time since consecutive titles in 1964 and 1965. Inter frustrated FIFA player of the year Lionel Messi, whose four goals in the second leg of the quarterfinals eliminated Arsenal.
Pedro Rodriguez scored on a low shot in the 19th minute for Barcelona, but Sneijder tied the score off a pass from Milito in the 30th minute and Maicon put Inter ahead in the 48th on an overlapping run,l again from a Milito pass.
Milito scored the final goal on a header in the 61st after Samuel Eto'o broke down a wing and crossed to Sneijder, who nodded the ball back.
Click Continue Reading below for Highlights of Inter Milan vs Barcelona and pictures.
Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola gestures during a Champions League semifinal first leg soccer match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy,Tuesday, April 20, 2010.
Inter Milan Argentine captain Javier Zanetti jumps over Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, during a Champions League semifinal first leg soccer match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy,Tuesday, April 20, 2010.
Inter Milan Brazilian defender Maicon, celebrates after scoring during a Champions League semifinal first leg soccer match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, April 20, 2010.
Inter Milan Argentine forward Diego Milito , left, celebrates after scoring with his teammate Brazilian midfielder Thiago Motta, center and Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder during a Champions League semifinal first leg soccer match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, April 20, 2010.
Inter Milan Argentine forward Diego Milito claps his hands as he leaves the field after scoring during a Champions League semifinal first leg soccer match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, April 20, 2010. At right is seen Barcelona defender Daniel Alves, of Brazil.
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, of Argentina, center, challenges for the ball with Inter Milan Argentine midfielder Esteban Cambiasso, left, and Inter Milan Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder during a Champions League semifinal first leg soccer match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, April 20, 2010.
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, of Argentina, left, is fouled by Inter Milan Argentine midfielder Esteban Cambiasso during a Champions League semifinal first leg soccer match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, April 20, 2010.
Inter Milan Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder, left, celebrates with his teammate Brazilian midfielder Thiago Motta after scoring during a Champions League semifinal first leg soccer match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy,Tuesday, April 20, 2010.
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, of Argentina, center, challenges for the ball with Inter Milan Argentine midfielder Esteban Cambiasso, left, and Inter Milan Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder during a Champions League semifinal first leg soccer match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, April 20, 2010
AC Milan was the last repeat champion, winning when the competition was known as the Champions Cup in 1989 and 1990.
Barcelona captain Carles Puyol will be suspended for the second leg because of a yellow card for a foul on Milito.
In the other semifinal, Bayern Munich hosts Lyon on Wednesday night.
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