Nightmare for Chelsea as a sublime late equaliser by Zenit Saint-Petersburg consigns them to second place in their Champions League group (meaning they could play Real Madrid or Bayern next) as Timo Werner grabs a brace in thrilling draw
- Chelsea took the lead in the second minute when Timo Werner tapped home from a corner form close range
- The home side responded well with Claudinho and Sardar Azmoun putting them ahead before the break
- Romelu Lukaku drew his side level before Werner thought he had won the game with a smart finish
- Magomed Ozdoev fired a stunning volley into the top left corner in the fourth minute of injury time
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Chelsea thought they had done enough to win Group H but a screaming volley scored by Magomed Ozdoev in the fourth minute of stoppage time knocked them from top spot.
Thomas Tuchel’s team were already qualified for the last 16 before they travelled to Russia but they will progress as runners-up behind Juventus, and will be drawn against one of the group winners, after they were held to a draw by Zenit St Petersburg.
Timo Werner opened the scoring after only 83 seconds and thought he had the winner when he grabbed a second in the 85th minute to make it 3-2.
Magomed Ozdoev celebrates after scoring a stunning goal to equalise for Zenit St Petersburg against Chelsea on Wednesday
Ozdoev fired a wonderful volley into the top left corner to deny the visitors a victory that would have seen them finish top
Timo Werner (left) looks dejected after watching Ozdoev (right) level for his side in the fourth minute of injury time
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel reacts after watching his side concede in the closing stages of the European clash
Werner also created Chelsea’s second for Romelu Lukaku but the European champions, depleted as Tuchel tried to preserve fresh legs for Saturday’s game at home against Leeds, could not cling on.
Tuchel made eight changes, including a return in goal for Kepa Arrizabalaga, a rare start for Ross Barkley, a Champions League debut for Malang Sarr and Saul Niguez deployed at left wing-back.
Saul has struggled with the intensity of Premier League football since his loan move from Atletico Madrid but made an instant impact, raiding forward to force a corner in the opening minutes.
Barkley clipped the corner towards Andreas Christensen, who flicked it on at the near post and Werner arrived to tap the ball over the line.
It was Chelsea’s fastest ever Champions League goal and they might have added a second quickly had Vyacheslav Karavaev not been so alert to foil Werner.
Zenit’s first clear chance came on the break, midway through the first half, with Malcom released into space behind Saul and Sarr. Kepa came to the rescue, making an excellent save with his legs.
Sardar Azmoun headed one wide as the Russian champions grew in confidence and Chelsea lost control in the centre of the pitch, exposing their patched-up defence and conceding twice in three minutes before half time.
Claudinho equalised, a diving header as Sarr was slow to push out and played the Brazilian onside, and Zenit soon moved ahead. Barkley lost the ball in midfield and Azmoun gave Christensen the slip to collect a pass and skip around Kepa before finishing.
Tuchel’s side seemed briefly on the brink of collapse. Azmoun raced clear again and another fabulous save by Kepa, who threw up his left hand to deny the Iranian striker, gave the Londoners an opportunity to regain composure during the interval.
Chelsea recovered a little of their attacking impetus after the restart and Zenit lost influential midfielder Wendel to injury before Lukaku levelled, adding the final touch to a slick move.
Werner (centre) gave the visiting team the lead with a finish from close range following a corner from Ross Barkley
Werner wheels away in celebration after giving his side the perfect start to the game at the Gazprom Arena
The German striker is congratulated by his team-mates after breaking the deadlock in the second minute of the match
Claudinho (right) draws his side level with a header midway through the first half in Russia on Wednesday evening
Striker Sardar Azmoun rounds Kepa and finishes into an empty net to give Zenit the lead shortly before half-time
Azmoun celebrates with Malcom after putting his side in front with a cool finish in the latter stages of the first half
Werner traded passes with Barkley, darted into the penalty area and cut a pass square to his strike-partner who celebrated his first Chelsea goal since the one he scored against the same opponents in mid-September.
Tuchel made changes and yet Zenit were next to threaten next and Kepa made another fine save to frustrate Azmoun.
Chelsea thought they had done enough when Werner scored but Ozdoev’s ferocious volley claimed a point for Zenit and preserved a proud record of never losing to an English team on Russian soil.
Romelu Lukaku finishes into an empty net after being teed up by team-mate Werner midway through the second half
Lukaku begins to make his way back to his own half after equalising for the Champions League holders on the night
Werner shoots to put the blues back in front with just five minutes of normal time remaining at the Gazprom Arena
Scroll down to see how it all unfolded with Sportsmail's live runner.
What a goal!!
The ball falls to Ozdoyev and he unleashes a sumptuous half volley into the top left corner.
Incredible strike.
Six minutes of added time...
Zenit looking a little deflated now. They don't really deserve to be behind.
Great goal!
Pulisic plays a one-two just outside the box before feeding it in to Werner.
The striker shifts the ball onto his right before finding the bottom corner.
There's VAR check but he's just onside and it stands.
Chance!
Mount does well to get a cross to Werner at the back post but he can't get anywhere near enough power on the ball.
Should have put it back across goal.
Zenit looking more likely since all those substitutions.
Azmoun goes down again and he'll have to come off.
Zenit also make another two changes.
Azmoun has hurt himself trying to meet a ball into the box.
He's receives treatment but he'll continue.
Havertz replaces Lukaku.
Marcos Alonso also comes on for Saul.
What a save!
Azmoun meets a cross from the right with a firm header towards the bottom right but the Chelsea stopper gets down brilliantly to tip it wide.
The Zenit fans are making a lot of noise.
Plenty of time for either side to find a winner.
As things stand, Chelsea need to win if they want to finish top.
Pulisic replaces Hudson-Odoi.
Ziyech also comes on for Barkley.
There's also a change at the back for Zenit.
Lukaku levels!
It's lovely team goal as Werner plays a one-two with Barkley on his way into the box before squaring for Lukaku to smash into an empty net.
He's back and back in the goals.
A booking for former Liverpool man Lovren for a challenge on Werner.
Replays show there was nothing in it. He's not impressed.
Mostovoy's pace and skill on the ball could cause some issues on the counter here...
Save.
Sault receives the ball on the left hand side of the box but his left-footed strike is palmed to safety.
Chelsea causing more problems for Zenit now.
Barkley looks to bend one from 20 yards. He hits it nicely but too close to the keeper.
Mostovoy replaces him.
Wendel has picked up a knock off the ball. He signals for a change.
Chelsea with the first opening of the half as Lukaku wins a really good header to give Mount the ball in space.
He plays Hudson-Odoi into space on the right but his low ball into the box doesn't beat the first man. Poor.
Zenit get us back underway.
No changes.
As things stand, Chelsea will finish as group runners-up.
Juve still lead 1-0 in Turin.
One minute of added time.
What a save!
Zenit carving Chelsea open at will now.
Reece James gives the ball away in midfield this time. It's Azmoun played through on goal again but this time Kepa sticks out a strong hand to stop his clipped finish making it 3-1.
Another one!
Barkley gives the ball away and that allows Azmoun to be played clean through on goal.
He shows great composure, rounding Kepa before finishing into an empty net.
Chelsea try to respond straight away but Barkley's corner kick is easily dealt with.
It had been coming...
He's been their best player so far and Claudinho now draws his side level.
It's a great header as he runs onto a cross from deep and guides it past Kepa.
Game on.
Hudson-Odoi picks up a yellow for a an ugly late challenge.
One born out of frustration.
Save!
Lukaku picks up the ball on the right hand side of the box and makes space on his left before clipping a lovely ball to the back post.
Mount is denied well from close range.
The dangerous Chelsea of the opening 10 minutes seems a somewhat distant memory.
There's not much space for them going forward now and their back three is looking stretched.
Wide!
Claudinho the creator again as his cross from the left finds Azmoun at the near post but he can't direct it on target.
Save!
Zenit break and Claudinho is able to cut in front the left and play Malcom through on goal.
Kepa gets out really well to close down the space and deny the finish.
Zenit have definitely grown into the game. They've now had 58% of the ball.
Lukaku attempts to bully his way into the box.
He gets through a couple of challenges but is ultimately closed out.
Juventus follow Chelsea's lead, Moise Kean putting them ahead.
They remain second by virtue of their head-to-head record against the Blues.
Better from Zenit, who string some nice passes together.
Claudinho receives the ball 25 yards from goal and blasts it high and wide.
It's only been 15 minutes but Reece James is looking extremely comfortable in the midfield alongside Barkley.
The game has settled down a little now.
Zenit get a couple of crosses into the box but they're easily dealt with.
It's been an electric start of Tuchel's men, especially when you consider the amount of changes they've made.
Zenit have barely entered their half.
Werner is looking really bright.
This time he picks up the ball and takes it into the right hand side of the area.
He looks up and tries to find Lukaku but doesn't get enough on the cross.
So much space for Chelsea going forward...
Barkley drives through the middle and tries to release Werner but gets too much on the ball.
Chelsea ahead already!
The resulting corner is swung in by Barkley from the left. A Zenit defender can only manage to flick it on to the back post for a tap in for Timo Werner.
What a start.
Save!
An early opening for the Blues as Saul Niguez drives into the box and sees his shot closed down by the keeper.
Really positive run.
Chelsea get us underway.
A mixed reception as most players take the knee, sadly.
The final preparations are complete and the teams are heading back down the tunnel.
Mateo Kovacic testing positive for Covid-19 is a "huge setback" for Chelsea, says manager Thomas Tuchel.
The Croatia midfielder had returned to training on Monday after being out since October with a hamstring problem, but tested positive on Tuesday.
"He was in training yesterday and with a big smile and it was a pure pleasure to have him back," said Tuchel.
"But he tested positive today, for coronavirus, so he's quarantining for a few days.
"It's a huge setback for him personally and for all of us."
Not long to go now until we're underway.
Chelsea will tonight wear their 2021/2022 third kit for the first time.
So far they have only worn their blue and yellow ones this term.
Starting XI: Kerzhakov, Santos, Barrios, Lovren, Azmoun, Wendel, Malcom, Claudinho, Kuzyaev, Karavaev, Rakits'kyy.
Subs: Odoevski, Byazrov, Krugovoi, Mostovoy, Sutormin, Erokhin, Dzyuba, Ozdoev, Kravtsov, Kuznetsov, Khotulev.
Tuchel makes eight changes from the side that lost at West Ham.
Mason Mount, Andreas Christensen and Reece James are the only players to retain their places.
Lukaku starts after returning from injury. As does Ross Barkley.
Starting XI: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Sarr, James, Mount, Barkley, Saul, Hudson-Odoi, Werner, Lukaku.
Subs: Bettinelli, Mendy, Alonso, Rudiger, Silva, Loftus-Cheek, Havertz, Pulisic, Ziyech.
And welcome to Sportsmail's live coverage of the climax of Group H.
Only goal difference separates leaders Chelsea and Juventus with the blues travelling to Zenit while the Italians host Malmo.
Team news to follow with kick-off at 5.45pm.
Host commentator