Glory for Chelsea at the Nou Camp
Blues skipper Terry apologises for dismissal
Proud Di Matteo celebrates “incredible achievement”
Barcelona 2 Chelsea 2 (Chelsea win 3-2 on aggregate)
Ten-man Chelsea sensationally defied the odds and reached the Champions League final with a heroic display at the Nou Camp, where Fernando Torres’ injury-time goal sealed their triumph.
They had captain John Terry sent off in the first half of an incredible encounter in which Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi missed a penalty.
Chelsea’s 1-0 lead from the first leg was wiped out by Sergio Busquets’ 35th-minute goal, before Terry was dismissed after kneeing Alex Sanchez in the back.
Andres Iniesta then scored to put Barcelona in the driving seat, but Ramires’ delightful chip on the stroke of half-time meant the Blues were heading through courtesy of the Brazilian’s away goal before substitute Torres scored on the counter-attack.
Ramires’ all-important moment of brilliance came shortly after he received a yellow card that means he will be suspended for the final in Munich, where Chelsea will face either Bayern Munich or Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid.
Terry will be banned for that game too, as will Branislav Ivanovic and Raul Meireles, who picked up their second bookings in the competition.
Chelsea also had to contend with the 12th-minute loss of centre-back Gary Cahill – outstanding against Barca at Stamford Bridge last week – who limped off after being hurt while tackling Xavi.
But up until the opening goal, they were comfortably soaking up pressure and had restricted their opponents to only one shot on target.
Messi fired wide of the near post and then forced a good save from keeper Petr Cech after latching on to a flick from Cesc Fabregas.
Drogba, who recovered from a knee problem in time to play, occupied the home defence whenever possible and shot wide following a long kick forward by Cech.
Then it all started to go horribly wrong for Chelsea.
Busquets levelled on aggregate, finishing coolly after being played in by Isaac Cuenca, and less than two minutes later Terry was red-carded.
Barca took advantage, with Messi setting up Iniesta, who steered his shot beyond Cech to put the Catalan giants ahead.
Incredibly, however, Chelsea hit back with a beautiful goal.
The outstanding Ramires ran on to Frank Lampard’s pass before superbly lifting the ball over keeper Victor Valdes.
A man short and without Terry, Cahill and the injured David Luiz, Chelsea’s under-strength defence was braced for a second-half onslaught and Barca were given a penalty only three minutes after the restart.
Drogba clumsily brought down Fabregas, but Messi hit the bar with the resulting spot-kick and his side then struggled to create further chances as Chelsea dug in.
Barca were given a rare sight of goal when Messi created space for a shot which came back off the post.
And as the holders piled forward in desperate search of a winner, they were left exposed at the other end, allowing Torres to race through, round Valdes, and slot home.
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