Chelsea's Champions' League dream was crushed by an attacking onslaught of ferocious intensity as the Nou Camp again proved to be the venue for a memorable comeback - this time with an English side on the receiving end.

The Blues were, at one stage, just seven minutes away from going through to the semi-finals courtesy of a strike of considerable poise by Tore Andre Flo as they looked to have made the most of their 3-1 advantage from the first leg.

However, the three-pronged Barcelona strikeforce, which boss Gianluca Vialli had described as the best in the world, was in intoxicating and spell-binding form after misfiring in the club's previous four consecutive defeats.

It may have been substitute Dani who clinched the crucial 83rd-minute goal that levelled the tie but it was mercurial Portuguese winger Luis Figo - whom England must face at Euro 2000 - and world player of the year Rivaldo who tore Chelsea's besieged defence apart.

Rivaldo was given a free role from which he roamed at will with devastating results, hitting a deflected free-kick to open the scoring.

And, even though the Brazilian also missed a penalty, he kept his nerve when he was handed a second chance from the spot in extra-time.

With Celestine Babayaro dismissed for giving away the second penalty, Chelsea's brave but ultimately naive challenge was over and with Figo, who scored in the first half, continuing to weave his magic, the 'third amigo' - Patrick Kluivert - duly completed the scoring.

Just like last season's Champions' League final, when Manchester United came back from the dead to defeat Bayern Munich in the same stadium, it was an absorbing match.

But whereas United only really came alive in the final two minutes, this game tossed and turned like a dinghy in a fierce storm from the kick-off inside a cauldron of emotion as Barcelona's Jekyll and Hyde team finally showed their true colours.

The home side desperately needed to resurrect their season after a disastrous two-week spell in which they had been defeated four times, conceded 12 goals, lost ground in the domestic title race and surrendered first leg leads in both the Champions' League and Spanish Cup.

This therefore was their chance to attain salvation in front of an unforgiving public, which has placed huge pressure upon Dutch coach Louis van Gaal and his array of overseas internationals.

And while Vialli attempted to stifle Barcelona's supply lines by fielding four central midfielders, with Jody Morris man-marking captain Josep Guardiola, he was at least initially out-thought by the wily van Gaal.

Necessity may be the mother of invention but the Barcelona coach's switch to a 3-3-4 formation proved decisive as Rivaldo capitalised on his free role through the middle.

Chelsea attempts to contain the Spanish champions succeeded - just about - for 24 minutes but when the Brazilian international struck a wickedly-deflected free-kick past keeper Ed de Goey, the whole complexion of the game changed dramatically.

With an extra spring in their step, Barcelona piled forward in ever increasing numbers, overwhelming the Blues' midfield. And although Flo headed a corner just wide at the far post, it proved to be merely a brief respite.

Figo put the home side ahead on away goals a few seconds before the interval as he rammed home the rebound after the visitors' defence stood rooted to the spot once a shot by Kluivert had hit the post.

Chelsea, with Bernard Lambourde on for Albert Ferrer, suffered two further scares shortly after the restart as Kluivert stabbed a close-range effort wide and then Rivaldo burst through the centre only to be denied by de Goey's body.

However the Blues, playing all in white tonight, were slowly growing not only in attacking commitment but also stature and they seized the away goal which put them back ahead on aggregate with 30 minutes left.

Under pressure from Zola, keeper Ruud Hesp made a complete hash of his clearance and the ball fell straight to the feet of Flo, who converted the chance with poise and technique by curling his shot past the retreating Dutch keeper and inside the far post.

The intensity increased further as Barcelona almost struck back immediately when Kluivert headed a corner against the post.

And then substitute Dani, who scored against Chelsea in last season's Cup Winners' Cup defeat by Real Mallorca, missed two clear chances before finally levelling the tie with a close-range strike from Figo's cross with seven minutes left.

There was more to come though as Kluivert broke free in the penalty area and, although he was brought down by Frank Leboeuf, he still managed to scramble the ball over the line with five minutes left.

However, Swedish referee Anders Frisk had already blown for a penalty and up stepped Rivaldo in an attempt to put the Spaniards into the semi-finals in normal time - only to strike his shot past the upright.

With a late effort by Roberto di Matteo saved by Hesp, the match duly went into extra-time and although Figo was denied by de Goey's reactions, he burst through again and was brought down by Babayaro.

The Nigerian had to go for a professional foul and, with Rivaldo this time placing his shot inside the post, there was simply no way back for Chelsea as Barcelona mercilessly pulled them apart.

Kluivert wrapped up victory with a close-range header on 104 minutes, Gabri should also have scored and, although Wise and Leboeuf both went close for the Blues, their fate had been sealed.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side may have reached the pinnacle of European football last season in the Nou Camp, but tonight Chelsea's dreams of matching them ultimately proved to be a false dawn as they were swept away by Barcelona's brilliant attacking flair.

Teams

Barcelona: Hesp, Zenden (Dani 72), F. de Boer, Reiziger (Sergi 105), Puyol (Abelardo 86), Cocu, Guardiola, Gabri, Rivaldo, Kluivert, Figo.

Subs Not Used: Arnau, Litmanen, Simao, Xavi.

Booked: Figo.

Goals: Rivaldo 24, Figo 45, Dani 83, Rivaldo 98 pen, Kluivert 104.

Chelsea: De Goey, Babayaro, Desailly, Leboeuf, Ferrer (Lambourde 46), Morris, Wise, Deschamps (Petrescu 102), Di Matteo, Zola (Poyet 106), Flo.

Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Sutton, Ambrosetti, Thome.

Sent Off: Babayaro (98).

Booked: Ferrer, Wise.

Goals: Flo 60.

Att: 97,000

Ref: Anders Frisk (Sweden).