The UEFA Youth League final is set, with Barcelona facing off against dark horses Trabzonspor. The Turkish side pulled off a major upset in the first semifinal, beating Red Bull Salzburg 2-1 in front of a raucous crowd in Nyon, Switzerland.
Upset in the First Semifinal
Trabzonspor’s path to the final was paved with a thrilling win. Lukic had a golden chance to put Salzburg ahead from the penalty spot in the first half, but he couldn’t capitalize. The deadlock persisted until Kemal Turan’s 73rd-minute strike sent the Turkish fans into raptures. John Mellberg, son of Sweden’s record cap defender, leveled the score at 1-1 eight minutes from time. However, Boran Baskan’s 89th-minute goal sealed Trabzonspor’s historic win and sparked a pitch invasion, with fans hailing the young players as heroes.
The second semifinal was a more subdued affair, with Barcelona edging out AZ Alkmaar 1-0. Juan Hernandez scored the only goal from the penalty spot in the seventh minute, setting up a clash between the Spanish giants and Trabzonspor for the title.
Barcelona Aims for Third Title
Barcelona is chasing its third UEFA Youth League crown, and the stage is set for an intriguing final against Trabzonspor. The match is scheduled for Monday at 5 p.m. Fans can expect an exciting showdown between two talented young teams.