Michael Essien scored on a 20-yard shot in the ninth minute for Chelsea, which lost last year's final to Manchester United on penalty kicks.
Champions League Snapshots
Chelsea's Michael Ballack (R) screams at referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after a possible handball by Barcelona during their Champions League second leg semi-final soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London May 6, 2009. The game ended 1-1, Barcelona won on the away goal rule. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN SPORT SOCCER IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Reuters
Frank Lampard of Chelsea reacts after Andres Iniesta of Barcelona scored the winning goal against his team in injury time during their Champions League second leg semi-final soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London May 6, 2009. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN SPORT SOCCER)
Reuters
Barcelona's Lionel Messi (R) is congratulated by his manager Josep Guardiola after their Champions League second leg semi-final soccer match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in London May 6, 2009. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN SPORT SOCCER)
Reuters
Barcelona's Andres Iniesta (R) and Samuel Eto'o celebrate a goal against Chelsea during their Champions League semi-final second leg soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London May 6, 2009. REUTERS/Albert Gea (BRITAIN SPORT SOCCER)
Reuters
Barcelona's Andres Iniesta, center, celebrates with Samuel Eto'o after scoring his sides equalising goal during their Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match against Chelsea at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Wednesday, May, 6, 2009. (AP Photo/ Matt Dunham)
AP
Barcelona's Andres Iniesta, left, reacts after scoring a goal against Chelsea during their Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Wednesday, May, 6, 2009. (AP Photo/ Jon Super)
AP
Barcelona's Andres Iniesta, no8 shoots and scores a a goal against Chelsea during their Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Wednesday, May, 6, 2009. (AP Photo/ Jon Super)
AP
Barcelona's Andres Iniesta , center, celebrates at the end of the match as his team win their Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match at against Chelsea at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge Stadium in London, Wednesday, May 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
AP
Frank Lampard of Chelsea reacts after Andres Iniesta of Barcelona scored the winning goal against his team in injury time during their Champions League second leg semi-final soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London May 6, 2009. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN SPORT SOCCER)
Reuters
Barcelona's Andres Iniesta celebrates a goal against Chelsea during their Champions League semi-final second leg soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London May 6, 2009. REUTERS/Albert Gea (BRITAIN SPORT SOCCER)
Reuters
But Iniesta beat goalkeeper Petr Cech after collecting a ball from Lionel Messi and tied the aggregate 1-1 in the home-and-home, total-goals series. Barcelona, which finished a man short following Eric Abidal's ejection in the 66th minute, advanced because of a 1-0 advantage in away goals.
Manchester United will try to win the title for the fourth time when it meets Barcelona on May 27 at Rome, following victories in 1968, 1999 and last year. Barcelona won Europe's top club soccer crown in 1992 and 2006.
Chelsea players surrounded Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after the final whistle at Stamford Bridge, angry they weren't awarded at least two penalty kicks - one for a free kick he gave outside the penalty area after a foul that was within, the other for a hand ball that wasn't called against Samuel Eto'o.
Didier Drogba, who had gone down twice inside the area, was pulled away from the official by Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink.
Barcelona was without Thierry Henry, who didn't dress because of a knee injury.
Essien scored off the bottom of the crossbar, beating goalkeeper Victor Valdes after Ashley Cole fed Frank Lampard, who pass went off a Barca defender and came loose outside the area.
Valdes later raced off his line to beat Drogba to the ball. Chelsea should have had a penalty awarded when Florent Malouda was brought down by Daniel Alves a yard inside the area, although the referee ruled it happened on the edge.
Drogba should have made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute when he collected a pass from Nicolas Anelka and turned past a defender only for Valdes to block his shot with his leg.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-06-2009 @ 5:36PM
curtis050376 said...
chelsea was robbed
Reply
5-06-2009 @ 8:57PM
kaixoman said...
Chelsea did not put away Barca when they could have. They were a man up & continued their defensive style instead of going for the kill.
At the end it proved to be their downfall. Missed calls or not. Barca has too many skilled players & they took advantage of their one late
chance. The final with Barca & Manchester U should be a good one. Both teams play an attacking style
Reply
5-07-2009 @ 10:16AM
Proghog said...
Chelsea was screwed by the worest refereeing I have ever seen. Final score should have been 3-1. Even though I have hate ManU they better trounce those Catalonians.
Reply
5-07-2009 @ 4:23PM
soccerbob1152 said...
GET OVER YOU FILTHY CHELSEA WANNABES ....BARCELONA WAS AND IS THE BEST TEAM....OF COURSE, CHELSEA WITH THEIR DEFENSIVE SCHEME ALMOST SQUEEZE INTO THE FINALS, BUT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN INJUSTICE...BARCELONA DID IT WITH ONE PLAYER SHORT ,LOOK AT THE REPLAY 1000000 TIMES AND ABIMAL NEVER TOUCHED THE CHELSEA PLAYER....NEVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!! GREAT FINALS COMING UP...MAN U AND BRACELONA! ALSO, DO YOU ACTUALLY BELIEVE THE ITALIANS WILL WELCOME TWO ENGLISH TEAMS PLAYING EACH OTHER IN ITALY? HAHAHAHA, ONE FOR THE AGES! SE LA VI, GET YOUR RING SIDE TICKETS AND EXPECT A GREAT MATCH...GO BARCA!!! MESSI THE GREATEST!!!!!!
Reply