Chelsea vs. Barcelona: Blues Shock World with Champions League Win vs. Blaugrana

Chelsea's semi-Cinderella run through the UEFA Champions League took yet another decisive step toward Munich on Wednesday with a shocking 1-0 decision against reigning European champions Barcelona at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues managed to vanquish the ghosts of the 2009 semifinals, when Andres Iniesta's goal in extra time in London sent the visitors through to the final in Rome, where Barca battled Manchester United to a 2-0 victory. 

The Blaugrana dominated the proceedings but squandered a slew of golden opportunities to put Chelsea away, particularly in the first half. Alexis Sanchez led off the parade of misses with a lob off the crossbar in the ninth minute and failed to slot home a delightful chip from Cesc Fabregas in the 58th.

Speaking of Fabregas, the former Arsenal talisman entered the fray when he whiffed on the ball from eight yards out in the 18th minute and had a brilliant dink over Petr Cech's head that was cleared out by Ashley Cole before it could cross into the goal.

Even with that, the Blues went into the dressing room with a 1-0 advantage. Long-time midfielder Frank Lampard stole the ball off Messi's foot and passed it up the left flank to Ramires, who immediately deflected it to Drogba in the middle for an easy chance past Victor Valdes.

More shocking, though, was the sight of Drogba upright in the box after crumbling to the pitch in agony so many times during the match.

To their credit, Chelsea did an admirable job of defending King Leo. The three-time defending World Player of the Year had shot after shot blocked by the Chelsea defense and was responsible, at least in part, for setting up the lone goal of the game.

Barca nearly pulled out a draw on a shot from Pedro in extra time, though the ball bounced off the right post without so much as trickling toward the net. 

The real credit for the result, though, goes to Petr Cech, who stopped a hefty helping of chances by Barca, including a header by Carles Puyol in the 87th minute that the Chelsea keeper deflected on a full-length dive to his right.

So, despite losing the possession split (79-21 in favor of Barca) to and getting out-shot (24-4) by the world's most celebrated football club, Chelsea will enter the away leg of their Champions League semifinal with a decisive advantage and the unexpected opportunity to play for the continental crown that comes with it.

Whether the Blues can make that single goal stand up in Spain is another story entirely.

The Blaugrana have averaged four goals per contest at the Camp Nou in La Liga and Champions League play this season. There's little doubt that Barca will be back with a vengeance on the attack next Tuesday.

For now, though, the Blues can bask in the glory of improbability, of rallying behind caretaker manager Roberto di Matteo in the wake of Andre Villas-Boas' somewhat-hasty sacking and being on the way to international success.

Chelsea needn't celebrate for too long, of course. They have a crucial London derby against Arsenal on Saturday for which to prepare, one that may well determine whether or not Roman Abramovich's play pals snag a crucial spot in the top four of the English Premier League at season's end.

As for Barca, they have a fairly important match of their own to handle on Saturday—a Camp Nou "El Clasico" date against arch rival Real Madrid that could sway the league title race.

In other words, both sides figure to be somewhat spent by the time they reconvene in Catalonia. Nevertheless, expect Barca to come forward with full force at home against a bunkering Chelsea side hoping to parlay early-season disappointment into a springtime jubilee.

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