Chelsea are through to the Champions League semi-finals after a 4-4 home draw – 7-5 on aggregate – against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
An incredible game in West London saw Chelsea and Liverpool share eight goals, as The Reds threw away a two goal lead, but then rallied only for the home side to respond in kind and progress through to a semi-final meeting with Barcelona.
On the 25 occasions that an away team have won the first leg of a Champions League fixture, only once has a team failed to progress.
Liverpool nearly made it two.
If Liverpool dominated the first half against a nervy looking Chelsea side, then the second half, if not belonging to the home side, they showed great character in taking the game to the visitors.
When Fernando Torres missed an early chance it seemed as if Liverpool would struggle to score the three goals necessary to progress into the semi-finals of the Champions League.
But Chelsea seemed uncertain how to cope with a 3-1 first leg lead and handed the initiative to the Reds.
On 19 minutes Liverpool pulled a goal back with an audacious free kick from Aurelio.
With Chelsea stopper Petr Cech expecting a conventional delivery he left his post unmarked and the Brazilian drove home from 25 yards.
Nine minutes later and the visitors had deservedly drawn level on aggregate.
This time Aurelio's free kick drifted into the penalty area and Ivanovic is spotted by Spanish referee Luis Medina holding down Alonso – penalty.
Alonso sends Cech the wrong way and blasts Liverpool two goals to the good.
Still Chelsea failed to respond and on the stroke of half time the Reds almost get a third.
First, Dirk Kuyt's header is clawed away by Cech, then when the ball is returned a goalmouth scramble ensues which the home side are fortunate to escape without conceding.
Within a minute of the restart and Cech raced out of his goal almost gifting a chance to Liverpool.
But then Chelsea began to claw their way back.
On 50 minutes Anelka's low cross was met with the faintest of touches by Didier Drogba and keeper Reina fumbled the ball over the line.
A thunderbolt free kick from Alex brought Chelsea level as Liverpool began to wilt.
Then, when Frank Lampard put Chelsea ahead with 15 minutes remaining it seemed as if Liverpool were down and out.
Yet this game still had more twists to come.
Lucas shot from distance took a deflection and it was now 3-3.
Two minutes later and Liverpool were back in front; Riera crossed and Kuyt powered home a header.
With eight minutes remaining The Reds just needed to score one more time to knock Chelsea out at the quarter final stage.
But it was Frank Lampard who had the final say, as Liverpool pushed forward, Chelsea broke quickly and Lampard curled in his second of an unbelievable night to make it 4-4.
Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink admitted harsh words were said at half time.
"We got angry, and why not?
"We only started playing just before the break. A few tactical tweaks were necessary but mainly we gave Liverpool too much respect.
"That's what I liked about the second half, the way the team reacted.
"We sat too far back defensively and asked for problems which we got."
Liverpool chief Rafa Benitez was proud of his team and supporters.
"We are disappointed to score four goals away in an unbelievable game and not get anything.
"I'm disappointed for the player's and for the fans.
"When we scored the second goal I had confidence, but there was no rush to score a third goal.
"Even when they scored we still controlled things but against top class players if you make a mistake you get punished, and that's what happened."
