Thierry Henry Criticizes Scrapped Away Goals Rule After Barcelona vs Inter UCL Thriller

Thierry Henry has reignited the debate over UEFA’s decision to scrap the away goals rule, following a breathtaking 3-3 Champions League semi-final first-leg clash between Barcelona and Inter Milan at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Wednesday night.

The game saw Inter Milan storm to a 2-0 lead before being pegged back by Barcelona. A late goal from Denzel Dumfries seemed to have clinched a win for the visitors, but a bizarre own goal by Yann Sommer—who deflected a Raphinha strike off the crossbar and into his own net—ensured the match ended level.

In the aftermath, Henry criticized UEFA's 2021 decision to abolish the away goals rule, a regulation that previously allowed teams to progress if aggregate scores were level but they had scored more away goals. Under the old rule, Inter—who netted three goals away from home—would be holding a significant advantage heading into the second leg at the San Siro.

“This is exactly the kind of game where the away goals rule made sense,” Henry said on CBS Sports. “Inter did what you ask any side to do in Europe—go away, score goals, and dominate for large stretches. And now? It’s as if they did none of that. It’s 0-0 all over again.”

Barcelona, meanwhile, will feel fortunate to have emerged with a draw after falling behind twice and relying on a touch of luck for their final equalizer. Despite that, the tie remains finely balanced, setting the stage for a thrilling second leg in Milan.

Henry, who also admitted to being surprised by Inter’s attacking fluidity and aggression, questioned whether the Italian side could sustain that level of play under pressure for another 90 minutes. Inter are chasing their second final in three seasons, after narrowly losing 1-0 to Manchester City in 2023.

The winner of the tie will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in the final, with PSG currently leading 1-0 after their win at the Emirates Stadium.

With tensions rising and every goal critical, Henry’s comments have added fuel to the ongoing debate over whether UEFA's removal of the away goals rule has diminished the tactical and emotional complexity of European knockout football.

Photo: CBS Sports golazo