Adrian's Goal Gave Atletico Madrid Edge Over Chelsea at Halftime

Adrian scored this goal for Atletico Madrid right before halftime to tie Wednesday’s Champions League second leg semifinal with Chelsea at 1-1. Thanks to the away goals rule Atletico would advance to play rival Real Madrid next month. Fernando Torres had given Chelsea a 1-0 lead against his former club earlier in the half.

It was an odd goal that almost seemed to happen in slow motion, as Chelsea’s air-tight (“bus-parking”) defense switched off for a split second. The finish by Adrian was smart, too, letting it hit the ground instead of trying for a volley.

The best part — aside from the fact it put Chelsea in trouble — is the traveling Atletico fans rising in unison the second the ball goes into the net.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed this doesn’t jinx it.