UCL 09/10: Aguerro 2 Drogba 2 and Chelsea qualified to next round

Chelsea booked their spot in the last 16 of the Champions League after a 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon tonight.

Sergio Aguero gave Atletico the lead in the 66th minute, but Didier Drogba – on his return to European action following suspension – netted twice in the last eight minutes to seemingly earn Chelsea the win.

It was not to be as Aguero struck his second goal from a free-kick in injury-time to earn Atletico a draw, but Chelsea are still assured of a place in the knockout stages courtesy of Porto’s win over Apoel Nicosia.

In-form Chelsea came into the game having scored 17 goals without reply in winning their previous four matches – including a 4-0 home win over Atletico – but it was the out-of-sorts home side who looked more threatening early on.

Centre-back Juanito headed wide from a corner while former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan was not too far away with a long-range effort.

Kalou was a lot closer in the 33rd minute though, with his header from Ashley Cole’s cross going narrowly wide of Sergio Asenjo’s left upright.

Atletico increased the pressure on the Chelsea defence in the lead up to half-time, but despite enjoying plenty of possession, the hosts created little to worry Ancelotti’s men.

Chelsea had a chance of their own just before the break but Frank Lampard, who had been fairly quiet in the opening period, saw his 20-yard effort drift wide.

Ancelotti’s first substitution saw Ballack replace Essien in midfield just before the hour-mark.

Cech was called into action in the 64th minute to save a Reyes free-kick low down by his post, but he could do nothing about the goal that put Atletico ahead in the 66th minute.

An Antonio Lopez cross from the left fell kindly to the unmarked Aguero after flicking off the head of John Terry, and the Argentinian slammed an unstoppable volley into the far top corner of the net as Chelsea’s defence was finally breached in Europe.

Ancelotti responded to the goal by making a double substitution, sending on Deco and former Real Madrid striker Nicolas Anelka for Joe Cole and Kalou.

Deco had a chance to draw Chelsea level in the 75th minute when Asenjo’s attempted punch fell to him inside the area, but the Portuguese sent his volley wide of the far post.

Drogba was then denied by a good tackle as he broke into the area, but just moments after that he drew Chelsea level when he rose highest to head home Malouda’s cross from the left.

Drogba then looked to have clinched a stunning comeback victory as he latched onto Ashley Cole’s through-ball and slotted home at the second attempt after Asenjo had saved his initial effort.

That was in the 88th minute, but there was still a late twist as Atletico netted an injury-time equaliser when Aguero curled home a brilliant free-kick from 25 yards out.