Chelsea Survives John Terry Red Card To Stun Barcelona In Champions League Semi (VIDEO)

Chelsea vs Barcelona: Jose Bosingwa (2R) and Raul Meireles (R) celebrate after Chelsea's Fernando Torres scored against Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

By Keeghann Sinanan, Goal.com

Chelsea are through to the Champions League final after an incredible 2-2 draw against Barcelona at Camp Nou in their semi-final second-leg encounter was enough to hand them a 3-2 aggregate victory over the holders.

Roberto Di Matteo's team defended brilliantly throughout, and will now travel to Munich on May 19 despite playing the majority of the match with 10 men.

The Catalans appeared to be home and dry after goals by Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta either side of a John Terry red card appeared to put the Blues out of the competition before half-time.

However, Ramires put the tie back into Chelsea's hands with a fantastic effort just before the interval.

Lionel Messi missed a penalty early in the second-half, and the Blues combined superb defending with a bit of luck, before Fernando Torres put the icing on the cake by finishing off a counterattack at the death.

With a 1-0 deficit to overcome after the first encounter in London, Barca coach Pep Guardiola began with an attacking 3-4-3 formation.

It took them only three minutes to carve out the first chance of the match, with Lionel Messi blasting into the side netting after rapid interplay with Alexis Sanchez.

The game plan from Di Matteo was simple as Chelsea, much as they had done in the first leg, looked to defend deep in numbers and relieve pressure on the counter whenever they could.

However, they were forced into a change after only 12 minutes as Gary Cahill was hauled off through injury for Jose Bosingwa.

Barca continued to control the game, and opened Chelsea up once more with a delightful passing move, with only the legs of Petr Cech preventing Messi from opening the scoring.

Cesc Fabregas and Didier Drogba each found the side netting before Javier Mascherano sent an unlikely 25-yard piledriver just over the bar as the home side continued to search for a way through.

The hosts were forced to bring on Dani Alves after 26 minutes for Gerard Pique, who failed to recover sufficiently from an earlier clash of heads with Victor Valdes.

The Brazilian played a part in the opener 10 minutes after his arrival, releasing Isaac Cuenca down the left, whose cutback evaded multiple bodies before Busquets tapped in.

It went from bad to worse for Chelsea, as they found themselves reduced to 10 men within two minutes. Terry appeared to knee Sanchez in the back off the ball, and was shown a straight red card by the referee.

Barca took advantage of their superior numbers, and struck again two minutes before half-time. Messi caused panic with a run at the defence before slipping in Iniesta, who slotted into the corner.

But rather than implode, as so many teams have done against the Catalans, Chelsea responded, out of nowhere, in some style.

A punt from defence by Frank Lampard was latched onto by Ramires, who guided a delightful lob over Valdes to send the Londoners into the break with the advantage on away goals.

Barca were handed a chance to regain the aggregate lead three minutes after the restart, with an apparent trip on Fabregas by Drogba in the box was spotted by the officials, leading to a penalty.

However, Chelsea’s advantage was left intact as Messi smacked the spot-kick off the crossbar.

Sanchez headed an Alves cross just wide and Cuenca was blocked at the last by Cech, as Barca set up camp in the opposition half for the remainder of the match.

But it was proving to be the same story as the first leg, as Chelsea’s doggedness at the back was just enough to keep Guardiola’s men at bay.

They were almost caught out 10 minutes before the end though, but Messi could only strike the post after being put clear with only the keeper to beat.

But the Catalans were out of ideas in attack, and were finished for good by substitute Torres in the final minute of injury time. With almost every Barca player committed in the opposition half, the Spaniard latched onto a pass from defence by Ashley Cole, rounded Valdes and fired home.

Chelsea continue their incredible renaissance under Di Matteo, and will await either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the final at the Allianz Arena on May 19.

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Loading Slideshow

• Lionel Messi of Barcelona reacts during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final, second leg match between FC Barcelona and Chelsea FC at Camp Nou on April 24, 2012 in Barcelona, Spain.

• Chelsea's defender John Terry (L) argues with Barcelona's midfielder Sergio Busquets (C) and Barcelona's captain Carles Puyol (R) after receiving a red card from Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football match Barcelona against Chelsea at the CamP Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

• Chelsea's Portuguese defender Jose Bosingwa (2R) and Chelsea's Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles (R) celebrate after Chelsea's Spanish forward Fernando Torres scored during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football match Barcelona against Chelsea at the Cam Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

• Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel M

  Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi holds his head in his hands after losing to Chelsea after the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football match Barcelona against Chelsea at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

• Chelsea's Ivorian forward Didier Drogba (L) jumps for the ball with Barcelona's captain Carles Puyol during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football match Barcelona against Chelsea at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

• Chelsea's Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles (L) celebrate after winning the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football match Barcelona against Chelsea at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

• Chelsea's Spanish forward Fernando Torre

  Chelsea's Spanish forward Fernando Torres celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football match Barcelona against Chelsea at the Cam Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 24, 2012. Ten-man Chelsea reached the Champions League final after drawing 2-2 with holders Barcelona in their semi-final final second leg clash here to progress 3-2 on aggregate. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)

• Chelsea's goalkeeper Petr Cech runs during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football match Barcelona against Chelsea at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

• Barcelona's Alexis Sanchez (L) vies for the ball with Chelsea's John Terry (R) during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football match Barcelona against Chelsea at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

• Chelsea's Ramires celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football match Barcelona against Chelsea at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

• Referee Cuneyt Cakir (R) talks to Chelsea's Petr Cech during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football match Barcelona against Chelsea at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

• Barcelona's forward Lionel Messi (R) vies with Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football match Barcelona against Chelsea at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

• Chelsea's Didier Drogba (back) vies with Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Isaac Cuenca during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football match Barcelona against Chelsea at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

• Chelsea's defender John Terry (2L) receives a red card from referee Cuneyt Cakir during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football match Barcelona against Chelsea at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

• Chelsea's midfielder Frank Lampard (R) celebrates after Fernando Torres (L) scored during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football match Barcelona against Chelsea at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

• A Barcelona supporter holds his hand to his mouth after losing to Chelsea after the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football match Barcelona against Chelsea at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

• Chelsea's Raul Meireles (R) vies for the ball with Barcelona's Dani Alves (L) during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football match Barcelona against Chelsea at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

• Raul Meireles of Chelsea CF is shown a yellow card by referee Cuneyt Cakir during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final, second leg match between FC Barcelona and Chelsea FC at Camp Nou on April 24, 2012 in Barcelona, Spain.

• Cesc Fabregas of Barcelona and Lionel Messi of Barcelona look thoughtful during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final, second leg match between FC Barcelona and Chelsea FC at Camp Nou on April 24, 2012 in Barcelona, Spain.

• Cesc Fabregas of FC Barcelona (2nd R) argues with Frank Lampard of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final, second leg match between FC Barcelona and Chelsea FC at Camp Nou on April 24, 2012 in Barcelona, Spain.

• Chelsea's coach Roberto Di Matteo celebrates after beating Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final match on April 24, 2012.

• Barcelona's defender Gerard Pique puts his hand to his head after clashing with Chelsea's Didier Drogba during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final match on April 24, 2012.

• Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona takes a penalty and misses during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final.

• Barcelona's coach Josep Guardiola watches his team play Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final on April 24, 2012.

• Head coach Roberto Di Matteo (L) of Chelsea celebrates after Fernando Torres scored the equalizing goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match on April 24, 2012.

• Fernando Torres (L) eludes Barcelona's goalkeeper Victor Valdes before scoring during on April 24, 2012.

• Fernando Torres celebrates after scoring against Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

• Fernando Torres (L) runs past Barcelona's goalkeeper Victor Valdes to score on April 24, 2012.

• Fernando Torres (C) scores against Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

• Barcelona's midfielder Cesc Fabregas (C)

  Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas (C) calls for a penalty against Chelsea at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

• Chelsea's Ramires (R) vies for the ball with Barcelona's Dani Alves (L) during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final match on April 24, 2012.

• Barcelona's goalkeeper Victor Valdes dives for the ball against Chelsea on April 24, 2012.

• Barcelona's Andres Iniesta (L) vies for the ball against Chelsea on April 24, 2012.

• Barcelona's Andres Iniesta (L) celebrates with Lionel Messi after scoring against Chelsea on April 24, 2012.

• Barcelona's Andres Iniesta (2L) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Chelsea on April 24, 2012.

• Barcelona's Dani Alves (R) celebrates after Sergio Busquets scored during against Chelsea on April 24, 2012.

• Barcelona's Sergio Busquets (C) scores against Chelsea during at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

• Barcelona's Lionel Messi (C) vies for the ball with Chelsea's Juan Mata (R) against Chelsea at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

• Chelsea poses before the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football match Barcelona against Chelsea at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 24, 2012.

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Comments

[OneMuse]

02:56 AM on 04/28/2012

I don't understand how some people dismiss Torres's goal as irrelevant and meaningless.

Did those people forget the CL semi-final in 2009 when Iniesta scored during injury time in the match's last minute against Chelsea, of all teams?

That's why when the scores are close, stoppage time is given. Even 2 minutes can be valuable, because anything can happen in the dying seconds of the game.

Iniesta also won Spain the World Cup in the last minutes of their match against the Netherlands.

Torres's goal brought Barcelona down to their knees. He drove home the point that there was no way Barcelona could come back after his goal. It was over and Chelsea won.

Messi, Busquets, Xavi...it was written all over their faces after Torres's goal: defeat. They knew it was over. They didn't expect that late goal to happen. They had majority of ball possession but they couldn't find the back of the net.

As Torres said, that is football. Sometimes the better team doesn't always win.

[Jon Blanton]

12:51 AM on 04/26/2012

..never mind..many people have commented about offside..

[Jon Blanton]

12:49 AM on 04/26/2012

What?? Wasn't that offside foul?

[Oregonlib]

09:24 PM on 04/25/2012

That was soccer. Right?
We have a team now, guess it's time to learn something about the game. Didn't the guy who initiated the long pass use his arm to knock the ball down? I thought they couldn't do that.

[Tully Hoover]

09:05 PM on 04/25/2012

Torres finally gets to be a Chelsea hero instead of an overpriced bench warmer!!

[bcgooner]

06:56 PM on 04/25/2012

A couple of posts here ask why that last goal scored by Torres wasn't offside. Here's why:

A player cannot be offside if he is in his own half when the pass is made, neither can he be offside from a throw-in.

Simply put, offside is when a player passes the ball forward to player on his own team, and at the time the pass is made the receiving player has at least 2 opposing players between him and the goal. Usually those 2 opposing players consist of an outfield player and the goalkeeper, although not necessarily - it can be any 2 players from the opposing team.

There are other wrinkles to the offside rule (in fact, the offside is one of the most contentious issues in football) but this is the core of the rule.

[Ballsin]

06:35 PM on 04/25/2012

Ha HAaaaa!

[Slybuck]

06:33 PM on 04/25/2012

Why was that not 'offside'?

[samra1958]

06:47 PM on 04/25/2012

offensive player was in his middle half of pitch as the ball was kicked to him. So, he's onside.

[Slybuck]

06:57 PM on 04/25/2012

So it would be offside if the kicker of the pass was in his own half as well?
Thank you in advance...

[yeshia]

06:21 PM on 04/25/2012

I don't know soccer that well. but wasn't that goal scored in that first video off sides?

[casaroonc]

06:54 PM on 04/25/2012

No. First, one is never offsides on ones own half. Second, once the ball is played (i.e. a pass) a player may run to a offsides position to receive the ball

[yeshia]

12:42 AM on 04/26/2012

Thanks for the help, that makes sense.

[abuja19]

06:16 PM on 04/25/2012

Chelsea for life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[oil patch]

06:08 PM on 04/25/2012

if anyone doubts that europe is on the wrong path, just look at soccer

[fairness6]

05:55 PM on 04/25/2012

Real Madrid and Bayer M played a distatestul match. Bayer M won.

Only Barca can play football. The rest just run around with the hope that they will be lucky to score.

I will not watch the Chelsea - Bayer M match. Bayer M will win. Why? Because all the lady Luck numbers assigned for Chelsea have already been used up in the Barca matches.

[Ovplain]

06:00 PM on 04/25/2012

BayerN München. And distasteful? It was awesome and the better team won.
'only barca can play football', just nonsense. This is the very attitude that makes me despise their fans.

But anyway, Bayern are through to the final! Mia san mia!

Bayern für immer!

[Rynchostylus]

06:19 PM on 04/25/2012

It was a horribly played game. Chaotic play. Very sloppy to watch. I do believe the better team won (Bayern), but both teams did not perform well.

[masha2009]

06:47 PM on 04/25/2012

why? because they learned tiki taka from the dutch?

[chedet]

05:34 PM on 04/25/2012

Good to see the the diving divas are out of the final. Shouldn't have dismissed Chelsea as an unworthy opponent.

[LifeisGOOD007]

04:23 PM on 04/25/2012

Uhhhh wasn't he off-sides?

[justin i]

04:33 PM on 04/25/2012

Apparently not. The linesman certainly didn't call it if he was.

[iowakid123]

04:44 PM on 04/25/2012

it's not offside if the receiving player is in his team's half of the field.

[Deparis]

03:42 PM on 04/25/2012

This has got to be the most unintelligible article over posted on the thread. I mean, several paragraphs make no sense at all. Here's a take:

"The Catalans appeared to be home and dry after goals by Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta either side of a John Terry red card appeared to put the Blues out of the competition before half-time."

How about this then:

"Barca were handed a chance to regain the aggregate lead three minutes after the restart, with an apparent trip on Fabregas by Drogba in the box was spotted by the officials, leading to a penalty."

Could anyone please tell me a real plain English what just those 2 passages mean? Does either of the paragraph make any sense?

Were the author and editor rushing for the rest room when putting this article on paper?

[MsMandy]

04:00 PM on 04/25/2012

Let me try...
1. Barcelona appeared to be set when they scored twice and Chelsea got a red card leaving them one player short.
2. Barcelona missed another chance to take a strong lead right after half when there was a foul in the goalie box and they got a free shot.
No snark, the article wasn't written using American vernacular. Sometimes I have some difficulty understanding the play by play during the game. Thank goodness my son can usually "translate" for me. And if I got any of it wrong, please forgive me...the boy wasn't here to help. :)

[Havana Thinks]

04:23 PM on 04/25/2012

Very much appreciated, MsMandy. F+F

[Deparis]

04:23 PM on 04/25/2012

Can you tell in what English vernacular you can say "Barca were.... WITH an apparent trip on Fabregas by Drogba in the box WAS spotted by the officials, leading to a penalty." Do you think the conjunction "with" is proper here rather than "as" for instance if there is no "which" or "that" between "... the box [that/which]" and "was spotted by the officials, leading to a penalty."

When I asked for someone to explain those passages, I was not suggesting that i didn't understand them, but simply that the way they are structured makes no sense at all English language-wise. The first passage I posted is even worse. It is not a matter of vernacular, about constructing good English sentences.

[Blowing Back]

04:13 PM on 04/25/2012

Very poorly written, but basically the Blues (Chelsea) were down in goals and men (red card ejection), but improbably came-back and won.

Aggregate means the total of home and away goals tallied by each team in the home and away games between these two teams to determine the semi-final results.

Even after Chelsea improbably came back and took the lead, Barcelona had a chance after a trip was called in the box on Didier Drogba and Fabregas was awarded a penalty shot. If he would have scored that would have given Barca the lead on aggregate by virtue of away goals (which count double to your home goals in this situation).

I think maybe that this was a translated article because of the "home and dry" comment, which sounds like it might be a colloquialism from Europe meaning the same thing as "Home-free" means here.

Luckily for us the actual game was more entertaining and less confusing than this summary.

[Deparis]

04:37 PM on 04/25/2012

Thanks fella, but I was not suggesting that I did not understand those passages, but rather that they were "unintelligible" as far as the English language goes. I think I clarified my thought a little better in my response to the other fella before reading your comment.

Thanks for the exchange, at least you too see it as a matter of poor writing and not of different English vernacular as our other fella stated.