Champions League

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Sep 19, 2012 at 7.45pm UK

Chelsea
2-2
Juventus

Chelsea 2-2 Juventus

By Robert Summerscales, Reporter | 19 September 2012

Juventus forward Fabio Quagliarella nets a late equaliser to deny Champions League winners Chelsea victory in their Group E opener at Stamford Bridge tonight.

Juventus came from two goals down to deny Champions League winners Chelsea victory in their Group E opener at Stamford Bridge tonight.

A first-half brace by Oscar on his competition debut put the Blues 2-0 up inside 33 minutes, however the Old Lady struck back with goals from Arturo Vidal and Fabio Quagliarella.

The visitors began the game brightly and twice went close to breaking the deadlock inside the opening half hour, with Claudio Marchisio and Mirko Vucinic spurning good chances.

However, Chelsea took the lead on 31 minutes when Oscar's 25-yard effort whistled into the top corner of Gianluigi Buffon's goal via a significant deflection.

Oscar doubled his tally in stunning fashion two minutes later.

The Brazilian collected Ashley Cole's neat pass and, following a sublime first touch to spin away from Andrea Pirlo, he unleashed a stunning first-time effort, which curled into the top corner from the edge of the D.

Vidal then pulled a goal back seven minutes before the break with a low left-footed drive from 20 yards.

Eden Hazard had a strong shout for a penalty kick midway through the second half when he took a tumble under the challenge of Andrea Barzagli, however the award was not forthcoming.

Chelsea should have sealed victory 12 minutes from time, but Juan Mata ballooned his shot high and wide following clever link-up play with Hazard.

Roberto Di Matteo's men were forced to pay the price for their slack shooting two minutes later when Quagliarella capitalised on an error by John Terry before calmly slotting home from eight yards.