Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has admitted that he "did not expect Lionel Messi to shoot from that angle" for Barcelona's first goal in their Champions League last-16 second leg.
The Blues were knocked out of the competition by a 4-1 aggregate scoreline on Wednesday night as their 1-1 home draw in the first leg was nullified by a 3-0 defeat at Camp Nou.
Messi opened the scoring in the third minute when he slotted through Courtois's legs from a tight angle and added a second just after the hour, while also providing the assist for Ousmane Dembele's 20th-minute strike.
"I don't think we deserve to be out, but individual mistakes cost us in both legs," the Belgian told BT Sport. "The first goal, I did not expect Lionel Messi to shoot from that angle and I was too late in closing my legs. It was a mistake on my part.
"There were missed passes from us and they scored from our mistakes. We defended and played well, hit the crossbar which was unlucky on our side but the individual mistakes cost us. We have to be honest about that.
"I played against Messi a lot of time, I have already conceded goals like that before. The weakest point is between the legs or a goalkeeper. It is annoying, I cannot hide inside, I have to be a man and come out. I made some good saves too but we go out with conceding four goals from four mistakes."
Chelsea return to action on Sunday when they visit Leicester City in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Giuseppe Labellarte
