“He’s in! He’s in! Fernando Torres!
“This could be the most dramatic story of the season! It’s Torres to give Chelsea a place in the Champions League final! The headline has been written.
“Unbelievable!”
The moment that turned Fernando Torres from a £50 million flop to a Stamford Bridge cult hero – the Spaniard’s last gasp goal against Barcelona in the Champions League semi’s is a strike that goes down as one of the greatest in the club’s history.
2-1 down at the Camp Nou and under the cosh in the final moments as Barcelona looked for a late winner to secure their place in the final – the ball bumbled around the Chelsea penalty area.
Desperately cleared by Ryan Bertrand, the Englishman’s lofted thump fell in the most fortunate of ways – directly at the feet of Fernando Torres.
One-and-a-half seasons at the club, and yet to deliver, the Spaniard knew this was his moment. And he took it with aplomb.
The former Liverpool star sprinted away from the legless Barcelona defence, before rounding Victor Valdes in goal and slotting home for his greatest ever moment in Blue.
His goal handed Chelsea a 3-2 victory, knocking favourites Barcelona out against all the odds.
Chelsea of course went on to win the Champions League for the first time in their history in Germany against Bayern Munich, and while Torres featured only in extra-time during the final, he had more than played his part.
A Blues hero. Happy Birthday, Fernando!
Happy birthday Fernando @Torres! 🎂 pic.twitter.com/sZFXgXsHLi
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 20, 2018
50 Million Worth it 💙💙💙 pic.twitter.com/Qkq1wAMZRF
— Kamran Musstafa (@kami3012) March 20, 2018
Still gives me goosebumps pic.twitter.com/zA02OUYs3E
— Nitin (@nitin_cul) March 20, 2018
He lived Chelsea, loved Chelsea & bled Chelsea #LEGEND pic.twitter.com/AaPAPOhYbf
— ChiMaNkpaObim Fidel🦁 (@iam_Fidelio) March 20, 2018
worth 50 million for this alone happy birthday Fernando hope you're having a fantastic day 😃💙💙 pic.twitter.com/5f51Wl5zkV
— Tom Clifford ⭐⭐ (@tomcliffordcfc) March 20, 2018
Happy Birthday 👑El Nino @Torres Thanks for the memories in #UCL & #UEL A Blues Legend #CFC 🔵💙
— ChiMaNkpaObim Fidel🦁 (@iam_Fidelio) March 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/RachelRitchie_/status/976029728636272641
For me @Torres will always be the G.O.A.T.👑💙👑 #OnceABlueAlwaysABlue
— Cía ™ (@Poccahontasz) March 20, 2018
Happy birthday 🎂🎊🎁 @Torres
— Brian Omari (@BrianOmari13) March 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/vinniejoey20/status/976105208488054785
Happy birthday my favourite player of all time..@Torres 💙
— Sachin Rathee (@SachinRathee) March 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/miss_amy_qb/status/976063940600975360