The truth about Inter v Barcelona referee as UEFA urged to investigate Champions League semi-final decisions

Barcelona have attached blame to the referee after suffering a Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter Milan on Tuesday night.

The two sides couldn't be separated in the first leg and played out a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium.

They served up more goodness in the second tie, which also finished with the same scoreline in 90 minutes and required extra time to decide who would reach the final in Munich.

Inter were 2-0 at half-time after goals from Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu but Barca turned it around in the second half with strikes from Eric Garcia, Dani Olmo and Raphinha - who thought he had scored a late winner.

But there was time for more drama as Inter's veteran 37-year-old centre-back Francesco Acerbi popped up with a stoppage time equaliser after being sent up top for the final minutes.

In extra time, Davide Frattesi popped up the winner to send Inter to a second Champions League final in three years.

But Barca were not happy with the officiating from Szymon Marciniak and his team and afterwards, midfielder Pedri called for UEFA to open an investigation.

"It's not the first time this has happened with this referee and I believe UEFA should have a look at it," the 22-year-old said in the mixed zone.

"I think there are things I don't understand and they are very hard to explain."

Hansi Flick claimed Inter got the "50-50 decisions" in their favour but with Barca reportedly aggrieved over a number of incidents from the second leg, did referee Marciniak get the big calls right or wrong?

Pau Cubarsi penalised against Lautaro Martinez

At first glance, it looked like Pau Cubarsi had produced an incredible last-ditch tackle to deny Martinez but then replays showed that he had actually kicked the Argentine's foot and didn't get a touch on the ball.

The young defender took out Martinez and it was a clear penalty. Marciniak could not have reached the decision without the intervention of VAR, which did its job.

Verdict: Correct call

Lamine Yamal penalty was overturned by referee

Marciniak awarded a second penalty in the second half when Lamine Yamal was brought down by Henrikh Mkhitaryan, though the Armenian immediately claimed it was outside the box.

Dennis Higler on VAR agreed and the decision was changed to a free-kick. It was a tricky decision as there looked to be two points of contact but the rules state that the foul is from the first and so 'continuing inside the box' does not apply in this scenario.

However, it is debatable that the foul could have warranted a second yellow card for Mkhitaryan, which would have sent him off.

Verdict: Correct call

Inter furious at referee blowing early

Barca weren't the only ones left aggrieved. At half-time in extra time, when they were leading 4-3, Inter got in behind the Barca backline after Alessandro Bastoni slid in a delightful pass for Nico Barella to latch onto.

However, Marciniak blew the whistle with exactly three minutes of stoppage time on the dot and had Simone Inzaghi charging on the pitch.

The Polish official should have waited for the attack to progress before calling for half-time.

Verdict: Incorrect call

Barcelona not happy with Francesco Acerbi handball call

Barcelona had a penalty appeal turned down in the first half, with Pedri furiously appealing that Acerbi had blocked his cross with his hand. Replays showed that the ball did indeed strike his arm but it was deflected onto it by himself and because it was a natural movement, the VAR stuck with Marciniak's decision of no-penalty and it's hard to disagree with the reason given.

Verdict: Correct call

Denzel Dumfries foul on Gerard Martin not given

Arguably the biggest talking point came for Acerbi's equaliser at the very end of normal time. In the build-up, Denzel Dumfries looked to have committed a foul on Gerard Martin before getting down the right and crossing for the veteran 37-year-old.

Marciniak waved for play to continue and there did not appear to be much of a VAR check on the incident.

However, close-up footage shared online afterwards appeared to highlight contact from Dumfries to Martin and so the goal ought to have been disallowed.

Verdict: Incorrect call

Inigo Martinez's actions towards Francesco Acerbi

After the penalty from Calhanoglou was tucked away, Inigo Martinez appeared to spit at Acerbi amidst the goal celebrations. There was an immediate red card check by VAR, but Martinez avoided punishment.

With footage not conclusive in the moment, Marciniak could not show a red card but retrospective action could still be taken.

The former Athletic Club defender admitted he did spit but said it was not aimed at an opponent. Speaking to reporters after the game, he said: "I celebrated the goal in my ear, I got angry, but the spit was not aimed towards him. Otherwise, I would have been sent off."