Willian's goal gave Chelsea the lead but Messi scores the equaliser with a good finish. Barcelona leave the Bridge with an away goal.
At the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich win the game after scoring five past Besiktas.
Preview: Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard has played down comparisons with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, saying he is a completely different player.
Eden Hazard in action against Barcelona. AFP
The Belgium international, who has scored 15 goals in 35 appearances across all competitions for Chelsea this season, has been among the most consistent performers in the Premier League and across Europe since moving to Stamford Bridge in 2012.
His impressive performances have led some to suggest that the 27-year-old has the potential to be as impactful as the five-time Ballon d‘Or winners.
“First it is good to be compared with the greatest ever, but I am completely different,” Hazard told reporters.
Hazard also played down persistent media reports linking him with a move to join Ronaldo at Real Madrid, saying he was happy at Chelsea.
The Premier League champions host Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie later on Tuesday, with their last win against the Spanish side coming in 2012.
“If you want to be one of the best, you have to play well in the big games. This is a big game. Let’s go for it and try and give everything,” Hazard added.
“You want to shine when you play the best in the world. If I want to reach that level, I need to do a great game.”
With inputs from Reuters
Firstpost is now on WhatsApp. For the latest analysis, commentary and news updates, sign up for our WhatsApp services. Just go to Firstpost.com/Whatsapp and hit the Subscribe button.
Updated Date: Feb 21, 2018 03:33:30 IST
Highlights
Full-time! CHE 1-1 BAR
Willian's goal gave Chelsea the lead but Messi scores the equaliser with a good finish. Barcelona leave the Bridge with an away goal.
At the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich win the game after scoring five past Besiktas.
73' CHE 1-1 BAR
MESSI SCORES!
He finally gets his goal against Chelsea with a top finish. Barcelona are level.
It started with Iniesta pouncing on a loose ball and giving the balll to Messi, who finishes with a low strike into the bottom corner.
61' CHE 1-0 BAR
GOOOAL!
Willian third time lucky with a sublime finish. Chelsea take a deserving lead in the match.The brazilian gets the ball in the middle, takes the position to shoot and finishes off with a with a superb low drive to ter Stegen's left. Top stuff!
45' CHE 0-0 BAR
Second-half is underway at the Stamford Bridge. Chelsea will like to keep the momentum going while Barcelona need inspiration from somewhere. Expecting another cracker of 45 minutes.
Half-time! CHE 0-0 BAR
Chelsea have been impressive in the first 45 minutes. Willian came close twice to break the deadlock, hitting the post on both occasions.
At the Allianz Arena, Thomas Mueller scores just before the break to give Bayern 1-0 lead in the match.
Here's Chelsea XI: Courtois; Rudiger, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Moses, Fabregas, Kante, Alonso, Willian, Hazard, Pedro
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between Chelsea and Barcelona, taking place at the Stamford Bridge.
We will also get you updates from another Round of 16 match between Bayern Munich and Besiktas, which will happen at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
03:32 (IST)
So that's it from us. Hope you have enjoyed the coverage. We will back again for Wednesday's Champions League match between Sevilla and Manchester United. Until then, have a good day!
03:27 (IST)
As always!
03:20 (IST)
True that!
03:19 (IST)
Class!
03:18 (IST)
For Chelsea, the 1-1 scoreline might feel like a defeat. They have been really impressive for most parts of the game, took a deserving lead with the help of Willian only for Lionel Messi to spoil the party with his first goal against Chelsea.
A lapse in concentration at the back led to Messi's goal. But it tells a things or two about Barcelona. Even if things are not going in their favour, they find a way to get back into the game. Such is the quality of Barcelona. They would leave London with a crucial away goal and will go for the kill when both sides meet again at the Camp Nou.
For neutrals, the match must have lived up to the expectations.
03:09 (IST)
Full-time! CHE 1-1 BAR
Willian's goal gave Chelsea the lead but Messi scores the equaliser with a good finish. Barcelona leave the Bridge with an away goal.
At the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich win the game after scoring five past Besiktas.
03:04 (IST)
Five-star performance from Bayern Munich!
03:01 (IST)
84' CHE 1-1 BAR
Chelsea make two changes. Pedro makes way for Alvaro Morata while Danny Drinkwater comes in to replace Cesc Fabregas. It's nearing the end as both teams are trying hard to find another goal. Barcelona will take the 1-1 scoreline considering they have an away goal. Chelsea will be disappointed if the result stays like this as they dominated the proceedings for most of the game.
02:54 (IST)
The man just can't stop scoring!
02:52 (IST)
Relief for the legend!
02:49 (IST)
73' CHE 1-1 BAR
MESSI SCORES!
He finally gets his goal against Chelsea with a top finish. Barcelona are level.
It started with Iniesta pouncing on a loose ball and giving the balll to Messi, who finishes with a low strike into the bottom corner.
02:43 (IST)
What a player!
02:42 (IST)
And Mueller scores his second and Bayern Munich's third goal of the night. Besiktas are taking a beating!
02:36 (IST)
61' CHE 1-0 BAR
GOOOAL!
Willian third time lucky with a sublime finish. Chelsea take a deserving lead in the match.The brazilian gets the ball in the middle, takes the position to shoot and finishes off with a with a superb low drive to ter Stegen's left. Top stuff!
02:34 (IST)
Well done!
02:33 (IST)
58' CHE 0-0 BAR
Suarez needs to involve himself more in the game. Chelsea are doing well to keep the ball away from Messi therefore Suarez should take the mantle to create something.
02:26 (IST)
50' CHE 0-0 BAR
Guess Barcelona will play a patient game here. They will wait for their opportunities rather than trying too hard to score.
In the other match, Kingsley Coman has doubled the lead for Bayern with a top finish.
02:19 (IST)
45' CHE 0-0 BAR
Second-half is underway at the Stamford Bridge. Chelsea will like to keep the momentum going while Barcelona need inspiration from somewhere. Expecting another cracker of 45 minutes.
02:16 (IST)
Looks like it's going to be 62 today.
02:14 (IST)
If only..
02:12 (IST)
As expected, Barcelona had most of the possession but it was Chelsea who came close to opening the scoring. Hazard and Willian combined well and were constantly putting pressure on Barcelona. Chelsea also did well to keep Messi in check.
02:06 (IST)
Half-time! CHE 0-0 BAR
Chelsea have been impressive in the first 45 minutes. Willian came close twice to break the deadlock, hitting the post on both occasions.
At the Allianz Arena, Thomas Mueller scores just before the break to give Bayern 1-0 lead in the match.
02:00 (IST)
42' CHE 0-0 BAR
Gotta say, Chelsea have been really impressive. They are underdogs and Antonio Conte's side have come close to break the deadlock. Willian, once again, tries an audacious shot from outside the box only for him to hit the post, again. Top stuff from the Brazilian.
01:52 (IST)
33' CHE 0-0 BAR
Chelsea almost came close to break the deadlock. Willian collects the ball on the left of midfield, moves few steps and unleashes a shot that hits the post. He has been live wire!
01:43 (IST)
25' CHE 0-0 BAR
Barcelona are spending more and more time in Chelsea's half. They not giving away the ball easily while Chelsea look content sitting back and defending.
01:39 (IST)
20' CHE 0-0 BAR
Nothing exceptional from both the teams but Chelsea are better organised. They are not allowing Barcelona to play fluently. But things can change any moment. Chelsea players need to maintain their concentration.
01:34 (IST)
Meanwhile, Besiktas are down to 10 men.
01:32 (IST)
15' CHE 0-0 BAR
Chelsea are playing without a proper striker so much is dependent on Eden Harard. So far, he hasn't done anything wrong. He's moving well in the midfield, exploiting gaps in Barcelona's defence.
01:29 (IST)
10' CHE 0-0 BAR
So far, Chelsea have been decent. They have had two shots on goal. Rudiger wins a header from a corner but fails to find the target. Barcelona still settling in.
01:23 (IST)
5' CHE 0-0 BAR
As expected, Chelsea playing on the counter. Eden Hazard hits one from outside the box but it's nowhere near the target. Not a bad start from Chelsea.
01:17 (IST)
CHE 0-0 BAR
Alright then, it's kick-off at Stamford Bridge.
01:12 (IST)
It's almost time for the kick-off. Chelsea and Barcelona players are making their way to the middle.
01:07 (IST)
Philippe Coutinho is not starting for Barcelona and he's not even on the bench because he's cup-tied and can't play Champions League this season. Not that Barcelona will miss him, but they would've loved to have the services of Coutinho, who played quite a few times against Chelsea when he was at Liverpool.
00:54 (IST)
Champions League: Ahead of Chelsea tie, a look at Lionel Messi's most favoured and unfancied opponents in Europe - Firstpost}
As we eagerly wait to see is Messi can end his drought against Chelsea in the upcoming tie, here's a look at the Argentine's best and worst opponents in European football.
https://www.firstpost.com
00:53 (IST)
Big night for Chelsea!
00:48 (IST)
For Chelsea, both Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud are on bench. Manager Antonio Conte has gone with Eden Hazard as false nine and Cesc Fabregas will start tonight along with Pedro.
Well, quite a decision to leave two strikers from the playing XI.
00:40 (IST)
Besiktas' starting XI against Bayern Munich!
00:39 (IST)
Can he break the goal-drought today?
00:38 (IST)
Just to remind you guys that football legend, the mighty Lionel Messi has never scored against Chelsea. Yes, you have read that correctly. So the English club would hope for the same in today's game as well.
Last time these two clubs met was back in 2012 in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final clash. Fernando Torres scored Chelsea's second goal in the dying minutes to book his club's spot in final. The match ended in a 2-2 draw but the aggregate scoreline 3-2 was in Chelsea's favour.
That year, Chelsea lifted the Champions League trophy, defeating Bayern Munich in a penalty shootout.
00:25 (IST)
It's going to be tough task for Besiktas to stop Bayern Munich!
00:19 (IST)
Here's Chelsea XI: Courtois; Rudiger, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Moses, Fabregas, Kante, Alonso, Willian, Hazard, Pedro
00:17 (IST)
Bayern Munich is up and ready for the Besiktas challenge!
00:08 (IST)
Barcelona's line-up is out!
00:06 (IST)
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between Chelsea and Barcelona, taking place at the Stamford Bridge.
We will also get you updates from another Round of 16 match between Bayern Munich and Besiktas, which will happen at the Allianz Arena in Munich.