Chelsea Beat Benfica 2-1, Set up Champions League Semi-Final Clash with Barcelona

Apr 05, 2012 11:54 AM EDT

Chelsea booked a Champions League semi-final meeting with Barcelona, after registering a late 2-1 victory over Portuguese side Benfica at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea, who won the tie 3-1 on aggregate, took the lead in the 21st minute when Frank Lampard converted a penalty (won by Ashley Cole).

Benfica, who had their stand-in skipper Maxi Pereira sent off in the first-half, got back into the game at the 85th minute, when Javi Garcia rose above the Chelsea defence to head a corner past Petr Cech.

Ten-man Benfica put together a few passes and gave Chelsea some nervous moments at the dying moments of the game, till midfielder Raul Meireles scored the London club's second in stoppage time, after making a superb run and drilling a powerful shot to beat Benfica goalkeeper Artur.

 
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