Hazard’s missed penalty gives Maribor deserved draw

MARIBOR: Chelsea were left waiting for their place in the last 16 of the Champions League after coming from behind to draw 1-1 away to Maribor on Wednesday.

Jose Mourinho´s side then squandered a gilt-edged chance of victory when Eden Hazard missed a penalty.

Premier League leaders Chelsea, who only a fortnight earlier thrashed Maribor 6-0 at Stamford Bridge, fell behind to Agim Ibraimi´s 50th-minute goal in this Group G clash.

The hosts should have gone 2-0 up but Luka Zahovic somehow contrived to miss an open goal as the game entered its final 20 minutes and were made to pay as Nemanja Matic equalised to spare the blushes of Mourinho´s team.

Chelsea then missed several chances before Hazard won a penalty with five minutes remaining after being brought down in the box by Mitja Viler.

Hazard took the penalty himself but impressive goalkeeper Jasmin Handanovic dived to his left to save the spot-kick.

Meanwhile the Portuguese boss absolved Hazard of blame for the loss, saying he had been "absolutely fantastic" and the "best player of my team".

Maribor coach Ante Simundza said he was proud of his team´s performance in front of a passionate home crowd.

Ibraimi´s curling shot from the edge of the box had given Maribor the lead but Matic drew Chelsea level when he struck from close range following a corner.

Chelsea could have won the match late on but Handanovic made excellent saves to deny both Hazard and Diego Costa.

Had Chelsea -- the 2012 Champions League winners -- beaten Maribor and other results gone their way, they would have qualified for the last 16 of this season´s competition with two games to spare. (AFP)