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Monday, December 23, 2024  
20 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1446  

10-men Chelsea shock Barcelona to reach UEFA cup final

Extra time goals, both in the first and the second half, ensured Chelsea to book a berth in Munich for the UEFA cup final to be held on 19th May. Chelsea started the match at the Nou Camp on Tuesday, but it was the home team which took command over the game by taking majority of the possession.

The game progressed slowly with Barcelona enjoying the possession and it was the home team that ended their frustration by nullifying Chelsea's home lead when Sergio Busquets scored in the 35th minute through Isaac Cuenca's cross.

Chelsea were reduced to 10 men in the 37th minute when Terry got red carded because of an off the ball offence against Alexis Sanchez. Replays should that Terry had kneed Sanchez in the back and the referee was quick in showing him a red card.

The misery was further piled up on to the visitors when an assist from Lionel Messi led Andres Iniesta to curl the ball slowly into the net past Petr Cech.

The visitors were totally down with 10 men but it was Ramires who unfolded a beautiful chip past Valdes to give the visitors the much needed goal in the 46th minute. Ramires scored the goal such effortlessly as if he was playing against some amateurs. Half time saw the visitors in a relaxed condition because of the late first half goal.

The second half got underway and the Catalans tried even better to score, but luck did not favor the home team as Messi missed out two chances, a penalty in the 49th minute and his long range effort hitting the goal post in the 82nd minute.

Luck was totally on Chelsea's side and the home team took advantage of that in the 92nd minute when the home team pushed everyone up and it was Fernando Torres who found himself to be in a one-on-one situation with the goal keeper. The Spanish veteran took the ball round the keeper and booked a place in Munich for the Blues.

Although Barcelona enjoyed majority of the possession (more than 70%), luck was totally favoring the visitors. The Blues maintained their strong record against the Catalans by not losing the match and ending the match 2-2. It was Didier Drogba's first leg goal that helped the Blues won the match 3-2 on aggregate.

Chelsea will play the Champions League final against the winner of the Bayern Munich - Real Madrid second leg semi final match to be played on Wednesday 25th April.