In one of the most incredible soccer games in Champions League history, Chelsea progressed to the semifinals after a 4–4 draw with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
The Blues will now face Barcelona who drew 1–1 with Bayern Munich in Germany.
Liverpool had a mountain to climb after losing 3–1 at home to Chelsea last Wednesday. They had to score at least three goals and win by at least two.
Chelsea clearly felt they were in an unassailable position and as a result they were too complacent. Left-footed free kick specialist Fabio Aurelio and Xabi Alonso from the penalty spot gave the Reds a two-goal lead before the half hour mark.
Game on—one more Liverpool goal and Chelsea is out.
But just after the halftime break, Didier Drogba managed to pull one back for the Blues and a few minutes after that Alex stunned the Reds with a free kick goal. Things were looking good for the Blues again at 2–2.
Frank Lampard scored his first of two on the night 20 minutes later and Chelsea went up 3–2 (6–3 on aggregate).
But Chelsea surrendered three goals in eight minutes on Saturday to a less potent Bolton attack and that’s what Liverpool had to keep telling themselves.
Lucas pulled Liverpool level on the night in the 81st minute after a lucky deflection off Michael Essien. And then Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt put Liverpool up 4–3 with a headed goal less than two minutes later.
But the Blues’ shaky defense without John Terry hung on and Frank Lampard scored his second of the night to make the final 4–4. Chelsea progressed 7–5 on aggregate, a truly unbelievable result for two teams known for their defensive stability.
“It’s one of those games where everyone has made a lot of errors. That’s why it’s so attractive. You’re up, you’re down, etc.” said Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink in an interview with Sky Sports. Surely, he meant it was so attractive for the fans. It could not have been attractive for him.
“We were doing a fantastic job with Lucas in the middle in place of [Steven] Gerrard,” said Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez.
“But when you play against a good team, and you make a mistake, they score.”
Frank Lampard told Sky Sports, “There were lots of ups and downs. At halftime, we were very down. But we had a great crowd behind us.”
Another memorable night of European soccer in the Champions League.
The Blues will now face Barcelona who drew 1–1 with Bayern Munich in Germany.
Liverpool had a mountain to climb after losing 3–1 at home to Chelsea last Wednesday. They had to score at least three goals and win by at least two.
Chelsea clearly felt they were in an unassailable position and as a result they were too complacent. Left-footed free kick specialist Fabio Aurelio and Xabi Alonso from the penalty spot gave the Reds a two-goal lead before the half hour mark.
Game on—one more Liverpool goal and Chelsea is out.
But just after the halftime break, Didier Drogba managed to pull one back for the Blues and a few minutes after that Alex stunned the Reds with a free kick goal. Things were looking good for the Blues again at 2–2.
Frank Lampard scored his first of two on the night 20 minutes later and Chelsea went up 3–2 (6–3 on aggregate).
But Chelsea surrendered three goals in eight minutes on Saturday to a less potent Bolton attack and that’s what Liverpool had to keep telling themselves.
Lucas pulled Liverpool level on the night in the 81st minute after a lucky deflection off Michael Essien. And then Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt put Liverpool up 4–3 with a headed goal less than two minutes later.
But the Blues’ shaky defense without John Terry hung on and Frank Lampard scored his second of the night to make the final 4–4. Chelsea progressed 7–5 on aggregate, a truly unbelievable result for two teams known for their defensive stability.
“It’s one of those games where everyone has made a lot of errors. That’s why it’s so attractive. You’re up, you’re down, etc.” said Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink in an interview with Sky Sports. Surely, he meant it was so attractive for the fans. It could not have been attractive for him.
“We were doing a fantastic job with Lucas in the middle in place of [Steven] Gerrard,” said Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez.
“But when you play against a good team, and you make a mistake, they score.”
Frank Lampard told Sky Sports, “There were lots of ups and downs. At halftime, we were very down. But we had a great crowd behind us.”
Another memorable night of European soccer in the Champions League.
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