Betting tips / Paul Bugeja / 25 April 2012 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

In a semi-final that had it all for Max Liu, Chelsea knocked out Barcelona to progress to the Champions League finals.

The draw was matched at 1000 as Chelsea pulled off one of the greatest shocks in Champions League history to reach the final in astonishing circumstances. Great goals, a red card and an incredible come back as Barca were backed at 1.01 and Chelsea touched 34.0 to qualify - it was a match that had everything and one that left plenty of punters celebrating.

Cheslea came in to the semi-final second leg with a 1-0 advantage but, against the greatest team on earth, attempting to stop possibly the best player of all time, that was expected to be swiftly wiped out.

Barcelona had to wait until the 35th minute before Sergio Busquets gave them the lead but, when John Terry was sent off for violent conduct shortly after, the floodgates looked set to open. Initially they did, as Lionel Messi set up Andres Iniesta to slip his shot past the exposed Petr Cech. Chelsea were rocking, pinned in their own half with Didier Drogba operating as a full-back. But then the unthinkable happened as Ramires, who had already been ruled out of the final with a yellow card, put Chelsea back in it - and ahead on away goals - with a delightful finish. 2-1.

At the start of the second-half, things got even stranger as Lionel Messi's Chelsea jinx continued. The Argentine has never scored against the west Londoners but, when Barca were awarded a penalty, that record looked set to end. Not so. He smashed his kick against the bar and Chelsea, buoyed by their luck, became resolute at the back.

Barca looked tired following their Saturday night defeat to Real Madrid and their frustration grew as they ran out of ideas. They kept pressing and, although the game was up by the time Fernando Torres came off the bench and made it 2-2, they will have been aggrieved to receive the killer blow from the man who tormented them as an Atletico Madrid player. For Chelsea, and those who backed 2-2 at 200.00, it was pure joy.

Chelsea can now be backed at 3.1 to win the Champions League. With several players, including Terry and Ramires, suspended they will face a gargantuan task whether they meet Bayern Munich or Real Madrid. However, after the determination they showed tonight, would you bet against them?