Barcelona stole victory from Chelsea in the Champions League semifinals with a stunning goal in the 93rd minute from Andres Iniesta.

Per Soccernet.com, Michael Essien appeared to set up a rematch of last year’s final with Manchester United when his first-half strike gave Chelsea a 1-0 lead. But Iniesta put one past goalkeeper Petr Cech in the third minute of extra time, and the 1-1 draw was enough to send Barca to the finals on aggregate scoring.

@annaprior from London loaded this twitpic of the celebration.

Barcelona fans were singing the team’s praises and anxiously awaiting the final against Manchester United.

1. 
   dmha @brilldisruptive VIVA LA BARCA!!!!!… ! yah I wish I was in espana to celebrate! 06 May 2009 from web in reply to brilldisruptive
2. 
   K_NYBlay (New York) Barca, that’s how it’s done. Damn, I love this team. Not as much as I love Julianne Gale, but very close enough. You rock, Iniesta!!!!! 06 May 2009 from TwitterBerry
3. 
   zulfadly (Brunei) Barca in the finals… Wish I had a blue and red tie hehehehe… Morning Peeps… Off to work in 10 mins 06 May 2009 from web
4. 
   pristyles Just passed loads of celebrating barca fans in piccadilly circus, go on! 06 May 2009 from txt
   tyle="position: relative; clear: both;">

Not all were happy with the result, and Norwegian referee Tom Ovrebo drew most of the ire. The referee waived off at least four penalty appeals in the game and was confronted by irate Chelsea players after the final whistle. A total of eight cards were shown, including a yellow to Chelsea Didier Drogba for confronting Ovrebo and a red for Barcelona’s Eric Abidal in the 66th minute of play.

Fans were quick to react to Ovrebo’s officiating.

1. 
   jwatton (London, U.K.) @Ian_Hutchinson gutted, 1st time ever i’m furious at ref’ing decisions. it was a disgrace. barca great team but they didn’t win today. 06 May 2009 from TweetDeck in reply to Ian_Hutchinson
2. 
   mackwiatkowski (Szczecin, Poland) thats why soccer sucks. im reading now that chelsea was playin better, barca score the goal and barca advance. 06 May 2009 from web
3. 
   myounes (Casablanca, Morocco) Chelsea didn’t play football, so they got screwed … there is justice in football ! VISCA BARCA ! 06 May 2009 from TwitterFox
4. 
   AussiRonaldo (Canberra) Gutted after Chelsea loss in Champs League. Shame the referee has become the talking point not the game itself! 06 May 2009 from TwitterFon
5. 
   GJLittler (Bath) You can’t condone the reaction of the Chelsea players, but it’s completely understandable – the referee has cost them their shot at revenge 06 May 2009 from web

Barcelona will take on Manchester United in the finals May 27 in Rome.

Tweet This Post