Chelsea vs Barcelona: Champions League round of 16, first leg – as it happened
Match report: Messi scores first goal against Chelsea to hand Barca advantage
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Your support makes all the difference.If at first you don't succeed the saying goes and it proved fitting for Willian and Lionel Messi as both scored in an absorbing 1-1 draw between Chelsea and Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Tuesday.
Chelsea's outstanding performer Willian could hardly believe his bad luck as twice before halftime he rattled the woodwork.
But the Brazilian was finally rewarded for his persistence in the 62nd minute when he fired Chelsea into the lead on an electrifying night at Stamford Bridge.
Barcelona's talisman Messi had fired blanks on eight previous occasions against Chelsea, most notably in a shock semi-final defeat six years ago, and he rarely had a glimpse of goal on his ninth meeting with the Londoners.
When home defender Andreas Christensen suffered a rush of blood in the 75th minute, however, Messi pounced.
Relive the game below with our live blog:
PREVIEW
What time does it start?
Kick-off is at 7.45pm , on Tuesday February 20.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be broadcast live on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport 4K UHD.
It’s a big game for…
Antonio Conte. It has been a difficult few weeks for Antonio Conte. After not-to-subtle remarks regarding his limited influence on transfers, the Italian has presided over a malaise in form that was compounded by a heavy defeat to Watford two weeks ago. With rumours rising apace regarding his future, success against Barcelona will take the pressure off, for now.
Best stat…
Lionel Messi doesn’t normally have too many issues in front of goal but he does against the Blues. The Argentine magician has yet to score against the West London club in his last eight attempts. He will hope to change that on Tuesday.
Remember when...
Andres Iniesta silences Stamford Bridge with a late equaliser to dump Jose Mourinho’s side out of the tournament on away goals.
Player to watch
Eden Hazard. There will be a plethora of stars on show at the Bridge but its Chelsea’s most valuable asset who will be in the spotlight on Tuesday night. With Alvaro Morata inconsistent in front of goal the Blues have come to rely on their Belgian talisman more than ever. Against a Barcelona side who are known under Ernesto Valverde for being just as formidable defensively as they are going forward, the Blues will need him at his best if they hope to progress.
Past three-meetings
Barcelona 2 (Busquets, Iniesta) Chelsea 2 (Ramires, Torres), Champions League Semi-Final, April 2012
Chelsea 1 (Drogba) Barcelona 0, Champions League Semi-Final, April 2012
Chelsea 1 (Essien) Barcelona 1 (Iniesta), Champions League Semi-Final, May 2009
Form Guide
Chelsea: WWLLW
Barcelona: WDWDW
Odds
Chelsea: 11/4
Barcelona: 7/6
Draw: 5/2
Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona
59: Thibaut Courtois claims a corner and sets Eden Hazard on his way. Chelsea work the ball around the final third and find Cesc Fabregas in space on the edge of the box. He drags a shot but earns a corner as the ball deflects off Samuel Umtiti and goes in behind.
Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona
Willian
62: Chelsea's corner is short and Eden Hazard plays the ball to Willian who is strangely unmarked on the edge of the box. He takes several touches and curls a well hit shot around a wall of bodies in front of him and finds the bottom corner. Antonio Conte and Stamford Bridge similtaniously errupt.
Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona
64: Barcelona react straight away and bring on Aleix Vidal for Paulinho.
Bayern Munich 3-0 Besiktas
66: Thomas Muller may well have put this tie out of sight with his second goal of the game.
Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona
69: Willian receives treatment for a nose bleed. Chelsea will use this break in play for a short, well earned rest. The Barcelona players and supporters are starting to cut frustrated figures, not a huge deal is going their way at the moment.
Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona
Chelsea celebrate taking a well deserves lead.
Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona
73: Chelsea are fighting really hard to keep Barcelona at bay. Lionel Messi gets the ball on the edge of the box and he is immediately surrounded by three players in blue who clear the ball. That's been the story of the game so far.
Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona
Lionel Messi
75: Lionel Messi finally ends a 700 minute wait for a goal against Chelsea. Andreas Christensen plays a ball across the back line which is intercepted by Andres Iniesta. He takes a touch past Cesar Azpilicueta and finds Lionel Messi in space who converts with a first time finish into the bottom corner.
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