London - Ten-man Barcelona edged their way into the Champions League final on Wednesday in the most dramatic manner, with Andres Iniesta scoring an injury-time goal to force a 1-1 draw away to Chelsea.

Barcelona were down to ten men midway through the second half after Eric Abidal was harshly sent off after pulling down Nicolas Anelka.

The last-gasp goal puts Barca into the May 27 final against Manchester United on the away goals rule, since the first leg was a dull 0-0 draw in the Camp Nou last Tuesday.

Chelsea left the field protesting against Norwegian referee Tom Henning - Didier Drogba most vociferously - who turned down four good home penalty claims.

Barca actually turned in a dull display by their high standards - unlike in Saturday's historic 6-2 thrashing of Real Madrid - but were saved by a moment of injury-time inspiration.

Samuel Eto'o controlled down the right and passed to Lionel Messi. The Argentine fed little Iniesta, who silenced Stamford Bridge by beating Peter Cech with an unstoppable high drive.

Barca went into the game without key defenders Carles Puyol and Rafa Marquez, and sorely missed the two veterans during an early assault from the hosts.

The Chelsea goal came after only 10 minutes. Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard put together a promising move down the left - and Essien set Stamford Bridge on fire with a spectacular left-foot volley which went in off the crossbar.

It was an even more staggering volley that the one by Zinedine Zidane that won the cup for Real against Bayer Leverkusen in 2002.

Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes kept the visitors in the game with sharp saves in the first half from Didier Drogba and John Terry, as Chelsea continued to dominate.

Barca looked brighter after half-time, but lacked the power and experience of the injured Thierry Henry.

In the Rome final Barca will be without Abidal and right-back Dani Alves, who picked up another yellow card.

Barca pressed manfully towards end, but lacked clarity in attack. Another United-Chelsea final seemed to be on the cards - until Iniesta stunned West London with the most important goal of his career.(dpa)