Messi breaks Chelsea duck to earn Barca draw

BARCELONA talisman Lionel Messi finally opened his account against Chelsea with a 75th-minute equaliser to earn his side a 1-1 draw in a fascinating Champions League last 16, first leg duel at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

Willian's superb 62nd-minute effort looked like giving Chelsea a precious advantage for the second leg in Spain but they undid all their good work by handing Messi an equaliser.

The Argentine maestro, teed up by Andres Iniesta after some sloppy play by the hosts, struck a low shot past keeper Thibaut Courtois for his first goal in nine attempts against Chelsea.

As expected, Barca dominated possession but Antonio Conte's Chelsea side were unfortunate not to end with a victory after Willian was twice denied by the woodwork before halftime.

The second leg is on March 14 at the Nou Camp.

One of Europe's fiercest rivalries had been dormant for six years -- since Chelsea's shock semi-final victory in 2012.

But the renewal of hostilities did not disappoint in a gripping game of cat and mouse in west London.

For all Barcelona's often suffocating possession it was Chelsea who walked in at halftime feeling hard done by.

The hosts spent most of the opening period diligently shutting doors at the back as Messi and Iniesta probed for openings in Chelsea's blue wall.

But when the home side did get the ball they were clinical.