Sport

IN PICS | Lionel Messi finally scores against Chelsea in 1-1 Champions League deadlock in Stamford Bridge

Lionel Messi struck for the first time in nine games against Chelsea to give Barcelona the upper hand from the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday by salvaging a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his side's first goal during a Champions League round of sixteen first leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018. | AP
Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his side's first goal during a Champions League round of sixteen first leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018. | AP
Associated Press
Updated on: 
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Barcelona's Lionel Messi, right, and his teammate Andres Iniesta celebrate the goal of their team. Messi struck for the first time in nine games against Chelsea to give Barcelona the upper hand from the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday by salvaging a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. | AP
Barcelona's Lionel Messi, right, and his teammate Andres Iniesta celebrate the goal of their team. Messi struck for the first time in nine games against Chelsea to give Barcelona the upper hand from the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday by salvaging a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. | AP
Chelsea's Andreas Christensen, center, falls down as Barcelona's Samuel Umtiti, left, reacts during the match. Willian's fine strike just after the hour mark had put Chelsea in command after earlier hitting both posts in the first half. | AP
Chelsea's Andreas Christensen, center, falls down as Barcelona's Samuel Umtiti, left, reacts during the match. Willian's fine strike just after the hour mark had put Chelsea in command after earlier hitting both posts in the first half. | AP
Barcelona's Andres Iniesta, right, and Chelsea's Victor Moses fight for the ball. One moment of carelessness cost Chelsea dear as Andres Iniesta intercepted Andreas Christensen's pass to tee up Messi to swing the balance of the tie in Barca's favour 15 minutes from time. | AP
Barcelona's Andres Iniesta, right, and Chelsea's Victor Moses fight for the ball. One moment of carelessness cost Chelsea dear as Andres Iniesta intercepted Andreas Christensen's pass to tee up Messi to swing the balance of the tie in Barca's favour 15 minutes from time. | AP
Barcelona's Lionel Messi, center, controls the ball as Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta, left, and his teammate Cesc Fabregas try to stop him. The English champions must now score when they travel to the Camp Nou on March 14 to have any chance of making the last eight. | AP
Barcelona's Lionel Messi, center, controls the ball as Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta, left, and his teammate Cesc Fabregas try to stop him. The English champions must now score when they travel to the Camp Nou on March 14 to have any chance of making the last eight. | AP
Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta reacts next to Barcelona's Andres Iniesta, right. Chelsea manager Antonio Conte sprang a surprise before kick-off by leaving out both Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata. | AP
Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta reacts next to Barcelona's Andres Iniesta, right. Chelsea manager Antonio Conte sprang a surprise before kick-off by leaving out both Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata. | AP
Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his side's first goal. Chelsea constantly tried to surround Messi with three or four blue shirts to limit the Argentine's threat, but he dug out a cross to the far post where an unmarked Paulinho headed wide. | AP
Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his side's first goal. Chelsea constantly tried to surround Messi with three or four blue shirts to limit the Argentine's threat, but he dug out a cross to the far post where an unmarked Paulinho headed wide. | AP
Barcelona's Jordi Alba, left, heads the ball as Chelsea's Willian looks on. Barca went on to dominate possession, but the visitors lacked penetration before the break and were lucky to go in level at half-time. | AP
Barcelona's Jordi Alba, left, heads the ball as Chelsea's Willian looks on. Barca went on to dominate possession, but the visitors lacked penetration before the break and were lucky to go in level at half-time. | AP
Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic, left, controls the ball, as Chelsea's N'golo Kante tries to stop him. Barca had kept six clean sheets in their previous seven Champions League games, but once again had good luck rather than good defending. | AP
Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic, left, controls the ball, as Chelsea's N'golo Kante tries to stop him. Barca had kept six clean sheets in their previous seven Champions League games, but once again had good luck rather than good defending. | AP
Barca remain unbeaten in 31 La Liga and Champions League games under Ernesto Valverde thanks to a late rally. | AP
Barca remain unbeaten in 31 La Liga and Champions League games under Ernesto Valverde thanks to a late rally. | AP
Barcelona's Lionel Messi falls down after an attempt to score. Luis Suarez had claims for a penalty waved away when he went down under pressure from Rudiger. | AP
Barcelona's Lionel Messi falls down after an attempt to score. Luis Suarez had claims for a penalty waved away when he went down under pressure from Rudiger. | AP
Chelsea
Barcelona
Champions League
Lionel Messi
Stamford Bridge

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