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.

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.

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. A mistake in the Chelsea defence. The Argentine fed little Iniesta, who silenced Stamford Bridge by beating Peter Cech with an unstoppable high drive.

Chelsea players surrounded Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after the final whistle at Stamford Bridge, angry they weren't awarded at least two penalty kicks — one for a free kick he gave outside the penalty area after a foul that was within, the other for a hand ball that wasn't called against Samuel Eto'o.

Germany and Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack had been determined to get his hands on the trophy this year and it looked as if the London side had done enough to play in a second consecutive final.

The Blues fell at the final hurdle last season, losing on penalties to Manchester United. This was probably Ballack's last chance to win an international trophy with Chelsea as his contract expires at the send of the season.

None of the Chelsea players were in the mood to speak to the media. Didier Drogba had to be prevented from assaulting Henning by his own team-mates, and could now face a lengthy UEFA suspension.

Barcelona coach Joseph Guardiola admitted Chelsea might have cause for complaint. But he claimed the Londoners had paid the price for their reluctance to push forward in search of a second goal, even when Barca had been reduced to ten men.

"I can understand that Chelsea can be disappointed about the performance of the referee," Guardiola said. "I did not see the penalties they say there were but it is possible that there were.

"You have to give us credit though. We tried to win the game, we tried to take the ball and create chances. We did not create so much but I expected Chelsea to create a little bit more pressure.

Keep the faith

"I have a lot of faith in my team and we kept going and we were persistent to the end. Don't forget we played 25 minutes ten against 11 (Barcelona defender Eric Abidal was sent off) and Chelsea stayed back. It was difficult enough 11 against 11 so we are so happy to have scored," added Guardiola.

"It was a wonderful moment to score," gasped a euphoric Iniesta at the end, "just when we needed a goal."

Barca playmaker Xavi - who had an uncharacteristically quiet game - conceded that "we were a bit lucky tonight", but pointed out that "they were unlucky to get a goalless draw in the first leg."

Barcelona defender Yaya Toure defended the referee. "The game today was very hard and very difficult because Chelsea is such a great team and it was a lot of work for the referee.

"I am very happy with this night, I think Barcelona played great football. Chelsea is a very strong team, they have good players like Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard is the best midfielder in Europe.

"The best team won today," he said.

For Barcelona the dream continues. Iniesta's last-gasp leveller - Barca's only shot on target all match - provoked noisy street celebrations back in Barcelona.

Trebel up for grabs

Barca are still on course for a league, cup and Champions treble that no Spanish team has yet managed to achieve. They are seven points clear at the top of La Liga with just four games left, and face unfancied Athletic Bilbao in next week's King's Cup final.

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

Another United-Chelsea final seemed to be on the cards - until Iniesta silenced the home fans with the most important goal of his career.