Gerard Pique told the Barcelona defence to 'calm' while playing Inter player onside, he then scored

Gerard Pique just told the Barcelona defence to 'stay calm' - while Nicolo Barella ghosted in behind all of them to equalise for Inter Milan.

Xavi's side entered this evening's Champions League Group C game knowing a defeat and Bayern Munich earning a point against Victoria Plzen would see them eliminated from the competition.

Ousmane Dembele gave them the lead just before halftime, however, Inter got back into the game in bizarre fashion.

Alessandro Bastoni whipped in a harmless ball which Pique gestured his backline to step up for.

However, Barella beat the offside trap and fired home to make it 1-1. Lautaro Martinez put Simone Inzaghi's side 2-1 up shortly after to compile their misery.

Fans have reacted to the mistake, claiming Pique has given birth to a new meme.

One person commented: "Pique was like 'let them score bro' oh my days."

Another said: "Life comes at you fast."

A third tweeted: "He has to retire after this I can't take much more."

While someone put: "We apologise to every Madrid fan for comparing Pique to Sergio Ramos."

Barcelona signed Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde in the summer, limiting Pique's game time so far this term.

The 35-year-old is part of the club's group of captains but only has one year remaining on his contract.

It was a topsy-turvy evening at the Camp Nou and Robert Lewandowski got Barcelona back on level terms eight minutes from time.

Robin Gosens restored Inter's lead in the dying moments but in injury time, Lewandowski added his second to keep Barcelona alive in the group. Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was kept busy as Inter searched for a winner, making two vital saves.

The drama was summed up with Inzaghi being sent off by referee Szymon Marciniak.

Bayern did beat Plzen 4-2 in the other Group C clash, with Inter and Barcelona still having to face the German giants once each.

If Inter win either of their games against Bayern or Plzen however, Barcelona will be eliminated.

Defender Eric Garcia told reporters at full-time: "As long as there is a little hope, we have to continue. Errors at this level cannot be allowed because they kill you."