Messi’s early cross is blocked and the loose ball loops goalwards before Bosingwa clears off the line, turning a quirky Barcelona attack into a near scare for Chelsea.

In the opening minutes Messi operates as the central front man, interchanging fluidly with Eto'o as Barcelona’s attacking trio dovetails in the final third.

Iniesta sends a drifting ball towards Messi in the box, but Cech calmly shepherds it out and denies him a chance to attack it.

Messi threads a ball into the path of Eto'o, but with Alex covering and Cech finally coming off his line, the chance fizzles out before Eto'o can capitalize.

Messi cuts inside and delivers a cross that deflects off Ashley Cole, allowing Cech to claim the ball just ahead of the lurking Eto'o.

Messi skips past Ashley Cole but his right-footed effort is tame and straight at Cech, highlighting the difficulty of playing on his unfavoured flank.

Messi swings in another cross from the right, but Keita fails to jump for the header at the crucial moment, possibly after a slight nudge from Bosingwa.

Just before halftime Messi holds the ball under pressure and then releases Alves down the right, leading to a cross and a quick corner from which Xavi’s shot is deflected just wide.

Receiving a pass from Eto'o, Messi escapes Ashley Cole again and unleashes a powerful strike that flies high and wide as Barcelona ramp up the pressure.

Alex is booked for a foul on Messi as he brings him down, earning a yellow card that would rule him out of the final if Chelsea progressed.

Messi bursts into the area and appears to be clipped by Bosingwa, but when the referee waves play on he reacts with visible frustration, throwing his arms up in protest.

Deep in stoppage time Essien’s poor clearance falls to Messi, who calmly squares the ball to Iniesta on the edge of the box for a stunning top-corner equaliser that sends Barcelona through.