Bundesliga | Chelsea 1-1 (4-3 pens.) Frankfurt

Luka Jovic's goal gave Eintracht Frankfurt hope, but after a night of drama at Stamford Bridge, the Bundesliga side were beaten 4-3 on penalties as Chelsea progressed to the UEFA Europa League final.

GOODNIGHT!

That was an incredible performance from Frankfurt, capping an amazing European campaign. They will feel they did enough to win that...thanks for joining us, and don't forget there is more live action from the Bundesliga on Saturday from 3pm CEST. See you then!

3-4: HAZARD WINS IT...

The Belgian sends his penalty into the net, and Stamford Bridge erupts in joy..except all those in Frankfurt colours for whom it's heartbreak.

3-3 PACIENCIA...

Goes to Kepa's right, and the Chelsea 'keeper goes that way too, and pushes out the penalty...no, no no!!

3-3: DAVID LUIZ...

Pulls Chelsea level with a convincing penalty - the drama continues.

3-2: HINTEREGGER...

Sends his penalty down the middle, and Kepa blocks with his legs...

3-2: JORGINHO...

Keeps his cool, and jauntily clips that one home.

3-1: DE GUZMAN SCORES

And Frankfurt have breathing space.

2-1: TRAAAAAAAAPPPPP!!

Azpilicueta's penalty looks good, but Trapp leaps to his left to push the Chelsea captain's spot-kick behind. Frankfurt ahead.

2-1: JOVIC...

Sidefoots it into the bottom corner - Kepa got a touch but couldn't keep it out.

1-1: BARKLEY NOW...

And the England international sends a powerful shot past Trapp, who went the right way.

1-0: HALLER STEPS FORWARD

And coolly slots it home - Kepa sent the wrong way.

A GOOD SIGN?

Chelsea have been involved in four penalty shoot-outs in European competition - and only won one: the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

120+2' PENALTIES

A chance for the goalkeepers to be heroes, and the outfield players to be villains.

120+1' LUIZ TO THE RESCUE AGAIN

David Luiz beats Haller to De Guzman's free-kick to clear the danger...that looked like being the last chance for a winner.

120' ADDED TIME

Two minutes to play.

119' PACIENCIA PLOY?

The Portuguese forward comes on for Gacinovic - presumably so he can take a penalty.

117' WHO'LL TAKE THE PENS?

Both sides are full of very tired players now - it'll be a difficult task for the coaches to decide which five men will take the first five penalties in the shoot-out that looks all but inevitable now.

115' PHEW...AGAIN

Azpilicueta races away celebrating after jumping into Trapp and forcing the ball over the line - that was old school from the Spain international full-back, but the goal won't stand.

114' ZAPPA-COSTA

The full-back gets another sight of goal and unleashes a ferocious shot that Trapp helps over the bar.

111' HINTEREGGER HEROIC

The defender, who has been exceptional, lunges in to block Emerson's follow-up after the Chelsea left-back had forced Trapp into a parrying stop with a fierce drive.

109' COUNTER-ATTACK

Falette is in the way as Zappacosta attempts to cross for Higuain - that could have been worse.

107' HALLER OF A PLAYER

The French striker has shown since coming off the bench just what a miss he's been for Frankfurt in recent weeks. Chelsea can't handle him.

106' HERE WE GO

You know what that means...the ball is rolling again.

105+1' HALF-TIME

In extra-time...15 minutes left, all square still.

105+1' HALLER DENIED...AGAIN

The French striker rises to meet a corner, and his powerful header is going in only for Zappacosta to head clear - Chelsea living on their wits, Frankfurt so close to a goal that would surely send them to Baku.

105' HAZARD-OUS?

The Chelsea number 10 motors to the byline with menace, but his cross ricochets off a Frankfurt defender and into the hands of Trapp.

102' 'WE LOVE YOU FRANKFURT...'

We do! The visiting fans are showing off their language skills by chanting in English...I'm looking forward to the Chelsea fans trying out their German...I suspect some of them might have already, though not with words we can repeat here.

100' SO CLOSE!!!!

Haller doesn't connect cleanly with the cross from the left, but Kepa is wrong-footed - out of nowhere, David Luiz dons a cape and pulls out a superhero move, clearing the ball off his own goalline with an acrobatic effort.

98' SING YOUR HEARTS OUT

Both sets of fans still have plenty of energy - they seem to be duelling out this contest on the terraces too.

97' PHEW!

Hasebe makes a mess of a pass and it's 5 on 2, but Zappacosta's ball into the box isn't a good one, and the visitors escape punishment.

96' HIGUAIN ON

The Argentine sprints on in place of Giroud - teams can make a fourth substitution in extra-time in the competition this season.

95' THAT WAS CLOSE

Hazard's outswinging corner from the right is met by Azpilicueta, who catches the volley cleanly but can't keep it down.

94' BARKLEY BENDS ONE

The Chelsea substitute gets a sight of goal, but doesn't put enough curl on his shot from outside the penalty area, and Trapp can watch it sail safely wide.

92' STATE OF PLAY

If Chelsea score, Frankfurt just need to score once to go through on away goals. If Frankfurt score, however, Chelsea need two.

91' HERE WE GO

Frankfurt get us underway in extra-time...15 minutes each way and then - if it's still like this - penalties!

90+5' EXTRA TIME IT IS

The whistle sounds and we're going to have another 30 minutes..and perhaps - whisper it quietly - penalties.

90+5' LAST CHANCE...

Before extra-time, at least, for Frankfurt? De Guzman launches a free-kick into the Chelsea box, it's off David Luiz's head and behind for a corner.

90+3' CHELSEA COMING ON STRONG

Frankfurt can't get the ball away and concede a corner...but Trapp steps forward to claim that so calmly at his near post. Is that man EVER ruffled? His hair certainly never is...

90+1' DE GUZMAN BOOKED

The substitute is cautioned as another sub, Sebastien Haller, prepares to come off the bench - a bold move from Hütter.

90' ADDED TIME

We've had 90 minutes...there's another five...and then another 30 if the scoreline stays like this.

87' GREAT SAVE TRAPP!

Giroud brilliantly fashions a powerful shot out of very little, forcing a great save from Trapp - that's why Giroud has got 10 goals in the competition this season.

86' CHELSEA MAKE FINAL CHANGE

The home fans boo as they don't want to see Loftus-Cheek go off, but the hosts' goalscorer is replaced by Ross Barkley

83' A PROMISING FREE-KICK...

Just to the left of centre, 25 metres from goal...De Guzman and Gacinovic are both behind it...De Guzman fires it...off the wall. Disappointing again.

81' AZPILICUETA BOOKED

The Chelsea captain goes in high and wild on Gacinovic, who - fortunately for him - hurdles the worst of the challenge. It's yellow, it could have been red.

77' OUT OF NOWHERE

Zappacosta gets a shot away from just outside the Frankfurt area that almost caught out Trapp - a little warning that Adi Hütter's men to stay sharp.

74' WHERE'S HAZARD?

This might be tempting fate (let's hope not), but Eden Hazard has been mightily quiet in the last 20 minutes - that's a sign of just how much Frankfurt have been on top.

72' AND ANOTHER...

Former Mönchengladbach man Andreas Christensen now limps off - Zappacosta comes on. He'll play on the right with Azpilicueta moving into the middle.

69' THAT'S A SAD SIGHT

Rode hopes off the pitch, his face a picture of pain after suffering an injury to his right knee - looks like it won't be long until we see De Guzman to replace him...speak of the devil! He races on for the final 20 minutes...and maybe more.

67' HIGUAIN WARMING UP

The Argentina international is warming up...

66' GET THE COFFEE ON...

This could be a late one - as it stands, we're headed to extra-time.

65' JOVIC MILESTONE

The Serbia international forward has equalled Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's tally of 10 goals for Schalke in 2011/12, the most a player has scored for a German club in European competition.

63' CHELSEA ON THE ROPES

Frankfurt really have the bit between their teeth and look like they could open up Chelsea every time they go forward. Now is the time to score a second...

60' EITHER SIDE...

That Gacinovic volley was so sweetly struck that had it been either side of Kepa, Frankfurt would surely have gone ahead.

59' FRANKFURT PRESSING

The Frankfurt fans are really enjoying themselves now as Rebic takes a corner...Da Costa heads it back into the danger zone...it's half-cleared and Gacinovic sends a stinging volley straight at Kepa. He boxes clear, and Kostic fizzes one wide...Frankfurt are on top and looking menacing.

57' WILLIAN IN TWO MINDS

The Brazilian didn't seem to know whether to cross or shot after bringing down David Luiz's Hollywood diagonal ball, and in the end, just steered his effort gently towards Trapp.

55' FRANKFURT LOOKING SOLID

Willian turned on the after-burners down the right, but his cross was met by the head of Hinteregger, who sent the ball looping safely back to Trapp.

53' JOVIC LEVEL WITH GIROUD

In addition to bringing the tie level, Jovic now has 10 goals in the competition, pulling alongside Giroud at the top of the goalscoring chart.

52' KOVACIC IN THE BOOK

That was a wild lunge from the Chelsea midfielder, catching Falette high and in full flight - no surprise to see the yellow card.

51' GIROUD FIRES WIDE

Hazard's back heel on the edge of the area tees up Giroud, but stabs his shot wide of the target.

49' GOAL!!! CHELSEA 1-1 FRANKFURT

Hasebe's pass is chested down by Jovic to Gacinovic, who just pushes the ball through the Chelsea back line for Jovic - the Frankfurt forward weighs up his options before whipping the ball beyond Kepa to make it all square.

48' NO NEED TO PANIC

As far as Frankfurt are concerned, after what we've seen this week already, a one-goal lead is worth very little...

46' UNDERWAY AGAIN

The second half is underway in west London .

45' HALF-TIME

After holding Chelsea and creating a couple of chances, Frankfurt were on the back foot for much of the first half. The good news? They're still right in it.

42' SECOND-LEG SUCCESS?

Frankfurt have won all three of their second-leg ties in this year's competition before tonight with an impressive goal difference: 7-1.

40' RODE BOOKED

The ex-Bayern and Dortmund man goes in late on Giroud, and is also cautioned. No argument there.

38' AND THAT'S A YELLOW CARD

Simon Falette gets the first booking of the game as his studs meet the calf of Willian - late, painful, but not vicious.

37' LUIZ STEPS IN

Rebic gets a sight of goal just inside the penalty area, but David Luiz is across quickly to close the Frankfurt forward down.

36' OVERHIT

Rebic whizzes down the left, spins and arrows a cross into the box, but it's overhit and no-one in a white or blue shirt is going to be able to reach it.

34' REBIC THE CHEERLEADER

The Croatia international looks around his teammates and encourages them - this is far from lost, but a second goal for Chelsea would make things pretty difficult.

31' HAZARD BREAKS DUCK

Believe it or not, that was the first goal Hazard has been involved with in the Europa League all season...couldn't Sarri have left him on the bench again?!?!

28' KEEP CALM AND....

Chelsea now lead 2-1 on aggregate...but a Frankfurt goal and the tie is all level. In other words that strike changes little: the visitors still need to score.

27' GOAL!! CHELSEA 1-0 FRANKFURT

Stunning play from Hazard, who leaves Abraham dizzy before clipping a sublime ball inside for Loftus-Cheek - he shapes to cross, but instead rolls a delicious shot inside the far post with Trapp powerless. That was a quality finish.

24' HASEBE MARVEL

Makoto Hasebe improvises a clearance that surely saved his side from going behind - Willian's free-kick looked as if it would be turned in by Azpilicueta at close range.

23' TURN LEFT

Chelsea's most dangerous moves are mostly coming down the left where Hazard and Emerson are combining well.

22' CHELSEA THREATENING

The hosts are starting to click into gear going forward - Emerson's low near-post cross is flicked goal wards by Giroud and fortunately for Frankfurt, Trapp is well placed to block.

19' EVEN STEVEN

It's been a breathless first 19 minutes - both sides can claim to have edged it, though Da Costa's volley is the closest we've come to a goal.

17' GIROUD STUMBLES...

And that's a good thing for Frankfurt. The France striker couldn't turn after meeting Willian's low ball down at the near post.

14' WHAT A STRIKE...AND SAVE!

Jovic brilliantly wins his battle down the left with David Luiz, turns and sends a cross that drops for Da Costa - his sizzling volley was destined for the top corner but for Kepa's reflex stop.

13' WASTED CHANCE

Jorginho's handball gives Frankfurt a free-kick 25 metres from goal...this is a chance...Rode and Kostic behind the ball...and the latter drills it low, straight into the wall. Disappointing.

11' BIG SCARE FOR FRANKFURT

Willian's pace down the right causes Frankfurt all sorts of problems - Giroud tries to flick the Brazilian's low cross into the net and Loftus-Cheek tangles with Da Costa as the ball flashes across the goal.

9' HAZARD THREAT

The Chelsea danger man can't quite reach a Jorginho ball over the top of the Frankfurt back four...good thing too as he was clean through if he'd got it.

5' VISITORS ON TOP

Possession is heavily in favour of Frankfurt - Sarri is off the bench to reorganise his side, who are having to watch their step.

3' JOVIC HEADER

A deep one from Rode, and Jovic gets a header on target - it wasn't going to really trouble Kepa, but a positive sign for the visitors.

2' HERE COMES THE RAIN...

The heavens have opened - not that widely - but it is raining. That should make his surface even slicker than it already is. Which side will that benefit?

1' KICK-OFF

We're underway at Stamford Bridge...come on Frankfurt!!

HERE THEY COME

The two sides emerge onto this impeccable pitch - the Frankfurt fans have black-and-white flags with their club's badge on, and are making quite a noise too. Their team is going to know they are there.

FRANKFURT FANS OUT IN FORCE

The Bundesliga side's passionate supporters have flocked to the British capital for the game, parading down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace en route to the game. Mixing (tourist) business with pleasure...

WARMING UP

The two sides are out on the Stamford Bridge pitch going through their paces ahead of the game - how good is it for Frankfurt to have Rebic back in the starting XI and the option of Haller on the bench?

HAZARD STARTS

Thorgan Hazard makes his first Europa League start of the season for Chelsea. The Belgium international lines up to the left of competition top scorer Olivier Giroud, and is one of two changes to the side that lined up in Frankfurt a week ago. Mateo Kovacic replaces the injured N'Golo Kante in midfield.

HALLER ON THE BENCH!

Our man on the ground thought Haller was looking good for a start, given his freshness in training, but the Frenchman starts on the bench at Stamford Bridge. Ante Rebic is back from suspension, though. The Croatia international drops in behind top scorer Luka Jovic, with Filip Kostic and Mijat Gacinovic completing the Balkan connection in attack. Sebastian Rode also shakes off a knock to start alongside Makoto Hasebe, in front of what looks like a flat back four.

CONFIRMED TEAMS

Chelsea: Kepa – Azpilicueta (c), Christensen, Luiz, Emerson – Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Kovacic – Willian, Giroud, Hazard
Subs: Caballero, Alonso, Barkley, Higuain, Pedro, Zappacosta, Cahill
Out: Ampadu (back), Hudson-Odoi (Achilles tendon), Kante (hamstring), Rüdiger (knee)
Coach: Maurizio Sarri

Frankfurt: Trapp – Abraham (c), Hinteregger, Falette – Hasebe – da Costa, Rode, Gacinovic, Kostic – Rebic, Jovic
Subs: Rönnow, N'Dicka, Fernandes, de Guzman, Haller, Chandler, Paciencia
Out: Tawatha (ankle)
Coach: Adi Hütter

KLOPP ROOTING FOR FRANKFURT

Adi Hütter told media at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday that Liverpool's Jürgen Klopp has wished him the best of luck in his bid to join his coaching colleague in the final of a 2018/19 UEFA club competition.

Klopp's Reds lost 3-0 to Barcelona a week ago, but won the second leg of their semi-final tie 4-0 to advance to the Champions League final for the second year in a row.

"He wished Eintracht well," Hütter revealed. "I congratulated him for getting to the final. He showed that if you believe something then you can put that across to the team."

'HASEBE VERY IMPORTANT' - HÜTTER

Chelsea's former Borussia Mönchengladbach defender Andreas Christensen is the only player left in the competition to have been on the field for every minute of this season's Europa League. Eintracht's Makoto Hasebe and Danny da Costa have started all 13 matches.

"He's a very important factor in our game," Hütter said of Japanese defensive specialist, Hasebe. "He's a big player with a lot of experience – an intelligent player who will surely be playing his most important game of his career. He's very much looking forward to the game tomorrow."

FRANKFURT'S FREAK RESULT

Chelsea beat Watford 3-0 in the English Premier League at the weekend, a win that - coupled with results elsewhere - qualified them for next season's UEFA Champions League group stage. Frankfurt are hoping to join them, but look like they might have to win their final two Bundesliga games of the campaign to seal the deal via the Bundesliga*, after failing to win any of their last four matches. The Eagles conceded six goals in 36 first-half minutes in a 6-1 defeat to fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen last time out.

"We joked about it at the airport, but it's in the past," said Frankfurt captain David Abraham of Sunday's chastening loss.

"What's important now is that we come together a as a team to play against class players. To stop players like Willian and Pedro is very difficult. We have to try to neutralise that."

*Should Frankfurt win the Europa League, they would enter the Champions League group stage. In that case, if they finish inside the top four, there would be no additional Bundesliga club in the Champions League. If, on the other hand, they finish outside the top four, they would be one of five Bundesliga clubs in the Champions League next season, with just two in the Europa League. However, if they finish in a position which would not otherwise earn European qualification, there would be five Bundesliga clubs in the Champions League and three in the Europa League.

MAURIZIO SARRI: 'FRANKFURT ARE DANGEROUS'

Haller or no Haller, Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri underlined the threat Frankfurt pose to his team's prospects of reaching the final.

"It is not easy because we have to play against a very dangerous team," the 60-year-old warned. "As we saw in the first leg, Frankfurt are very dynamic, very aggressive in the defensive phase, dangerous in the offensive phase, especially when they find spaces and on counterattacks.

"They have two strikers who are very good in Jovic and Rebic, so we have to be very careful."

ADI HÜTTER: 'WE NEED A PERFECT PERFORMANCE'

With Chelsea unbeaten in the Europa League this season and enjoying a nine-match winning run on home soil in the competition, Frankfurt coach Adi Hütter knows his side cannot put a foot wrong if they are to advance to the final

"We don't need to motivate our players – we're at Stamford Bridge," he explained. "I don't need to have individual chats with them, they are motivated. They can have some fun with this game and really enjoy the occasion but they have to be focused and show their strengths. We are here because we've played a wonderful Europa League so far.

"Playing Chelsea will make it a great spectacle. The way they play is just fantastic and we will show a different phase of our game. Let's hope we can do it.

"We'll give everything for 90 minutes – or maybe even more – to get to Baku. When you get so far in this competition, you want to carry on to the final. We'll need a perfect performance."

RETURN OF THE GOALBROKERS?

Sebastien Haller has travelled to London after missing Frankfurt's last eight matches with an abdominal strain. The Frenchman has been integral to Eintracht's storming season at home and abroad, but it remains to be seen what role - if any - he plays in the English capital. Ante Rebic is also back, having missed the first leg through suspension. Together with Luka Jovic, Eintracht's prolific forward line have hit 55 goals in all competitions so far this season.

BAKU BECKONS

So it comes down to this: Chelsea, 90 minutes - possibly more - stand between Frankfurt and a place in the 2018/19 Europa League final in Baku. The Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw on home turf, but will progress if they win or play out a high-scoring draw (2-2 or more) at Stamford Bridge. The good news? Frankfurt are winless in four first legs in the knockout rounds of the competition, but have won all three second legs, scoring seven goals and conceding just one.

Chelsea 1-1 (4-3 pens.) Frankfurt - as it happened.

As it happened

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