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Barça took the lead in their Liga play-off semi-final after edging Inter Movistar 4-3 in a hard-fought encounter at the Palau Blaugrana. Javi Rodríguez’s side had to work tirelessly for the opening point of the series against an Inter team that pushed them all the way to the final seconds.

The victory gives Barça the advantage heading into Tuesday’s second game in Torrejón de Ardoz (9pm CEST), where another win would seal a place in the final.

Barça struggled to find their rhythm in the first half against a well-organised Inter side, with Dídac Plana producing several important saves to keep the visitors at bay. The blaugranes also threatened through Eric Martel and Touré, whose effort hit the post.

After an intense opening period, Luciano Gauna finally broke the deadlock with just 49 seconds left before half-time .

The goals arrived quickly after the break. Eric Martel doubled Barça’s lead before Pito added a third with a deft lob just a minute later.

Inter responded immediately, though, with goals from Cecilio and Raúl Gómez to set up a tense finish.

Both sides had chances, but it was Catela who restored Barça’s two-goal cushion, finishing at the far post after a well-worked corner routine involving Pito and Erick.

Inter refused to give in and Pirata capitalised on a Barça error to make it 4-3 with just over two minutes remaining (min 37). The visitors then piled on the pressure with a rush goalie and even struck the crossbar with 50 seconds left, but Barça held firm to secure the first point of the series.

BARÇA, 4MOVISTAR INTER, 3

Barça: Dídac, Antonio, Matheus, M. Touré, Pito, Erick, Martel, João Víctor, Fits, Sergio González, Gauna, Catela.