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Late drama sends Barcelona through to final
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-05-07 09:56

LONDON - Barcelona snatched a place in the Champions League final on Wednesday when a last-gasp goal from Andres Iniesta earned them a 1-1 draw with Chelsea and victory on away goals.

Barcelona, trailing to a stunning early volley from Michael Essien and reduced to 10 men by Eric Abidal's sending-off, broke Chelsea hearts when Iniesta struck in the third minute of stoppage time with his team's first shot on target.

Late drama sends Barcelona through to final

Barcelona's Andres Iniesta celebrates a goal against Chelsea during their Champions League semi-final second leg soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London. (Agencies)  

The reversal of fortunes at the very end of an intense semifinal second leg means Barca will play holders Manchester United in the Rome final on May 27.

The semifinal ended with a dramatic confrontation between Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo, who had denied Chelsea several strong penalty appeals.

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink congratulated Barcelona but said the refereeing was the worst he had ever seen.

"Of course players can make mistakes, coaches can mistakes and referees can make mistakes but that is all in the game," Hiddink told reporters.

"But if you have seen three or four situations waved away then that is the worst refereeing I have seen."

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said afterwards: "We keep going, we are consistent and we showed a lot of strength and bravery and created the chance at the end."

Abidal, sent off in the 65th minute, will miss the final for twice European champions Barcelona, as will Daniel Alves, who was booked on his birthday and will also be suspended.

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Skipper Carles Puyol, suspended for this game, will be eligible for the final when United will bid to become the first team in the Champions League era to retain the European Cup.

Chelsea had been on their way to a second successive final against United, and a chance to avenge their defeat on penalties in Moscow, thanks to Essien's volley in the ninth minute.

It was so nearly enough and had the referee given one of several strong shouts for penalties they might have had the game wrapped up well before the late drama.

Chelsea's players harangued the referee after the dramatic finale and Drogba earned himself a booking after the final whistle.

Hiddink claimed Florent Malouda was hauled down inside the penalty area by Alves when the referee gave Chelsea a free-kick outside the box and that the referee also ignored two blatant handballs as well as a shirt-pulling incident on Drogba.

Barcelona had plenty of possession but produced very little in front of goal and rarely looked like adding to the almost-150 goals they have scored in all competitions this season.

Chelsea were far more dangerous on the counterattack, and created most of what chances there were even after Essien's goal.

The goal came about against the run of the early play when a shot from Frank Lampard hit Yaya Toure and fell for Essien to smash it in first time with his left foot from 22 metres.

Barcelona looked to be down and out when Abidal was sent off after appearing to trip Anelka as the Frenchman chased down a flick-on from Drogba.

But with time running out and Chelsea dreaming of another final, the visitors struck to change the picture entirely.