Messi breaks Blues goal drought

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi dealt a huge blow to Chelsea’s Champions League hopes by scoring his first ever goal against the Blues in an absorbing 1-1 last-16, first-leg draw at Stamford Bridge.

Antonio Conte’s side had taken a 62nd-minute lead through Willian’s 25-yard strike before Messi profited from an Andreas Christensen mistake to convert from Andres Iniesta’s pass, ending his wait for a goal against Chelsea at the ninth time of asking.

The Blues now face a huge uphill task in the return game on 14 March to avoid a European exit which would only heighten speculation over Conte’s future as manager.

Apprehension permeated the air at kick-off, perhaps in part a consequence of Conte’s cautious team selection, opting to leave Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud on the bench in favour of deploying Eden Hazard as a false nine.

The Belgian flashed a fifth-minute shot off-target from the edge of the box as Chelsea held their own in the opening exchanges before Barcelona gradually asserted control.

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