An heroic Chelsea survived the dismissal of captain John Terry to eliminate holders Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate and clinch a place in the Champions League final after an action-packed last-four clash last night in which Lionel Messi missed a penalty.
The dramatic semi-final second leg at the Camp Nou ended 2-2 and meant Chelsea, chasing a first European title, will play Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the May 19 final, with the Germans holding a 2-1 lead ahead of tonight's Bernabeu game.
A victory for Real would pit coach Jose Mourinho against former club Chelsea, who were in disarray just a few weeks ago.
Last night's match first swung Barcelona's way when they opened a two-goal lead through Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta and Terry was sent off for lifting a knee into the back of Alexis Sanchez in an off-the-ball incident.
The home side appeared in total control but Chelsea hit back unexpectedly when Frank Lampard sent Ramires clear in first-half added time and he lifted the ball brilliantly over the onrushing Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes into the empty net.
Barcelona, who dominated possession throughout as they had done in losing the first leg in London 1-0, squandered a chance to make it 3-1 early in the second half when the referee awarded a penalty for a debatable Didier Drogba foul on Cesc Fabregas.
World Player of the Year Messi, also denied by a post late on, crashed his spot-kick against the crossbar with Petr Cech beaten, and has now gone eight games without scoring against Chelsea - by far his worst record against any club in Europe.
Substitute Fernando Torres, who had an impressive record against Barcelona when at Atletico Madrid but has repeatedly misfired for the Premier League side, then netted for Chelsea in stoppage time after racing clear and rounding Valdes.
Barcelona, who lost Gerard Pique to concussion midway through the first half, knocked Chelsea out on away goals at the same stage in 2009 thanks to a last-gasp Iniesta strike, but could not repeat the feat three years on.
ORIGINAL SOURCE
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