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10-man Chelsea defend stoically to upset Barca
Chelsea survived the dismissal of captain John Terry to eliminate holders Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate and clinch a place in the Champions League final after an action-packed last-four clash on Tuesday in which Lionel Messi missed a penalty.
The semi-final second leg at the Nou Camp ended 2-2 and meant Chelsea, chasing a first European title, will play Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the May 19 final with the Germans holding a 2-1 lead ahead of Wednesday's Bernabeu game.
Tuesday's match first swung Barca's way when they opened a two-goal lead through Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta and Terry was sent off for lifting a knee into the back of Alexis Sanchez off the ball.
Messi's spot kick crashed into the crossbar
The home side appeared in total control but Chelsea hit back unexpectedly when Frank Lampard sent Ramires clear in first-half added time and he lifted the ball brilliantly over the onrushing Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes into the empty net.
Barca squandered a chance to make it 3-1 early in the second half when the referee awarded a penalty for a debatable Didier Drogba foul on Cesc Fabregas.
Messi, also denied by a post late on, crashed his spot kick against the crossbar with Petr Cech beaten and has now gone eight games without scoring against Chelsea -- by far his worst record against any club in Europe.Barca's elimination is fresh setback for Guardiola
Substitute Fernando Torres, who had an impressive record against Barca when at Atletico Madrid, then netted for Chelsea in stoppage time after racing clear and rounding Valdes.
"We have a great deal of respect for Barca, for us they are the best team in the world and that's an extra motivation," Torres told Spanish television.
Barca's elimination is a fresh setback for Pep Guardiola's side after they crashed to a 2-1 La Liga reverse at home to Real on Saturday that left them seven points behind their bitter rivals with four games left and all-but ended their bid for a fourth straight Spanish crown.
Chelsea, who fell to Manchester United in the 2008 final, will head to the Munich showpiece with Terry, defender Branislav Ivanovic and midfielders Ramires and Raul Meireles all suspended.
'Pique underwent various tests which ruled out any injury'
Gary Cahill, who limped off with an apparent muscle strain in the 12th minute, faces a race to be fit as does fellow centre back David Luiz, who missed Tuesday's match through injury.
Barca, who lost Gerard Pique to concussion midway through the first half, knocked Chelsea out on away goals at the same stage in 2009 thanks to a last-gasp Iniesta strike but could not repeat the feat three years on.
"Gerard Pique underwent various tests which ruled out any injury," Barca said in a statement on their website (www.fcbarcelona.com) after the Spain international collided with teammate Victor Valdes in the 17th minute.
"The player will remain under observation until Wednesday," the club added.
Pique played on until the 25th minute before signalling he could not continue and was replaced by Daniel Alves.No complaints says Terry after red card
Chelsea captain John Terry, was shown a straight red card by Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir in the 37th minute for kneeing Alexis Sanchez in the back, said he deserved his red card.
He will now miss the final against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich on May 19.
"It does look bad on the replay. I raised my knee which in hindsight I shouldn't have done. No complaints from the replay," the Englishman told Sky Sports after his team went through 3-2 on aggregate.
'Feel like I've let the lads down'
"Sanchez darted in behind me. At the time I was bewildered. I feel like I've let the lads down," added Terry, whose missed penalty cost Chelsea the 2008 title against Manchester United in Moscow.
Terry said he was not surprised at Chelsea's stunning upset.
"This is what this football club deserves. It's massive."
Caretaker coach Roberto Di Matteo said: "He's a fantastic leader of this group. Everybody can make a mistake in life. We're just happy to go through. We're all human beings. They're under huge pressure these players."
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