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UEFA Champions League played the first semi-final match between and clubs. The hosts at Anfield in Liverpool narrowly defeated the visitors from London and secured a place in the final.
1 - 0
(First match 0-0, aggregate score 1-0)
4' [1 - 0] Luis Garcia
As expected, a full-house of red-clad fans gathered to watch the match at the "Anfield" stadium. Supported by passionate "Liverpool" fans, the footballers started the game with energy and in the 4th minute, they scored a goal - M.Baroš, receiving a precise pass from S.Gerrard, lobbed the ball past goalkeeper P.Cech, and L.Garcia, the first to rush to the ball, sent it towards the goal. Although W.Gallas managed to clear the ball just from the goal line, all the "Blues" protests that the ball did not cross the line did not convince the referee.
Later on, both teams did not create one hundred percent chances, and the game was balanced. Indeed, at the end of the first half, "Chelsea" tried to press the opponents but failed to break through the organized hosts' defense.
In the second half, "Chelsea" gradually took control, and "Liverpool" retreated to defend their lead. Still, the home goalkeeper had to wait until the 67th minute to deflect a powerful shot from F.Lampard.
The tension grew, the visitors put all their efforts into attacking, but they could not threaten the opponents seriously. Meanwhile, the hosts tried to counter-attack, and D.Cisse's shot in the 89th minute flew just past the post.
Time passed, and due to a stoppage when a couple of people entered the field, the referee added six minutes. After playing four of them, Cisse had a chance to bury the opponents, but his attempt was saved by P.Cech. However, "Chelsea" never gave up and almost snatched a place in the final in the last minute - E.Gudjohnsen missed a great opportunity with a shot just wide of the goal, with J.Dudek coming out of the goal carelessly.
So, twenty years after the tragic events in Heysel, "Liverpool" will play in the Champions League final again, which will take place in Istanbul this season. The opponent of the English club will be known on Wednesday after the other pair's match, where "Milan" has a two-goal advantage against "PSV" playing at home.
