Iniesta's late strike deprives Chelsea of Champions League final

Barcelona will face Manchester United in the finale of the UEFA Champions League finals after they beat Chelsea on away goals after a late strike from Andres Iniesta gave them a 1-all draw in London.

Sometimes just one strike is enough. Barcelona failed to earn a shot on target for 90 minutes, but a stoppage time equalizer from Andres Iniesta deprived Chelsea of a well-deserved place in the final – and a chance to have their revenge on Manchester United for a defeat in last year's clash in Moscow.

The Londoners' coach Guus Hiddink completely outdid his young rival, Josep Guardiola from Barcelona. Chelsea brought a vital 0-0 draw from Catalonia, and was always in control at home Stamford Bridge stadium.

Chelsea got a much desired early goal after just 9 minutes. Frank Lampard's cross was blocked on the edge of the box and the ball flew into the air to Michael Essien, who delivered a super left-footed shot from 25 meters which ricocheted off the crossbar and went into the net.

Chelsea's Michael Ballack (R) is awarded a yellow card (AFP Photo / Carl DE Souza)

Barcelona, considered to be the greatest attacking force in European football this season, came to London after humiliating Real Madrid 6-1 in the Spanish SuperClassico, but looked clueless throughout the whole match. They dominated possession, but couldn’t create anything in front.

With Tierry Henry absent, and No. 1 contender for the Golden Ball Lionel Messi looking more like an invisible man, they only threatened goalkeeper Petr Cech with free kicks by Dani Alves, which all went wide.

Meanwhile, the home side’s counter-attacks put the visitors in grave danger. Drogba could have doubled Chelsea's lead, but Victor Valdes saved his shot from close range. And when Barsa went a man down late in the match – Eric Abidal was sent off after a foul on Nicolas Anelka – it seemed that a repeat of the 2008 all-English final was inevitable.

Ironically, it was Essien who failed to clear the ball at 93 minutes, letting Messi deliver the ball to Iniesta, 1-1.

After the score leveled, Chelsea went on all-out attack to save the game. They managed to earn a corner, and even keeper Petr Cech came to Barsa's box. But Michael Ballack’s shot after a cross was blocked by one of the defenders and the home team argued it was a hand ball. But the referee decided not to point to the spot, as he already had in a similar situation earlier in the second half.

1-all was the final score, and 1-all on aggregate, but an away goal saw Barcelona progress into the final of the Champions League. They face holders Manchester United on May 27 in Rome.

After the final whistle, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, outraged by the refereeing, confronted the Norwegian arbiter Tom Henning Ovrebo.

The Ivory Coast international then turned to a TV camera and screamed into it – swearing and describing the official as a "disgrace." He may now be facing a lengthy ban from European football.

"It was difficult for us. It is difficult to play against Chelsea eleven against eleven. You can imagine playing eleven against ten. But we continued to try to score, and we did it, and we are so so happy," said Hosep Guardiola, the Barcelona boss who made his coaching debut this season.

"I think we played a very decent game, tactically well. The only thing was that we should have decided the game already outside the big worldwide discussion of the penalties. On this level, it is very difficult. I think two or three of the open chances, we should have materialized them, and then we wouldn't have this fuss, not just about one penalty," said Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink.