BARCELONA, Spain (AP):

Barcelona reached the Champions League final after drawing 1-1 against Real Madrid yesterday to take the bad-tempered semi-final between Spain's bitter rivals 3-1 overall.

Andres Iniesta returned from injury to thread a perfect through ball to Pedro Rodriguez for the 54th minute opener before Angel Di Maria found Marcelo with a short pass for Madrid's equaliser 10 minutes later.

Barcelona will be going for their second European Cup in three seasons under coach Pep Guardiola as the Spanish champions did their bit for a possible repeat of the 2009 final against Manchester United. Manchester United lead Schalke 2-0 in the other semi-final. The final takes place at Wembley on May 28.

Barcelona again dominated a defensive Madrid who were without banned coach Jose Mourinho for the match at the Camp Nou Stadium.

superb saves

While Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas kept the visitors in touch with a number of superb saves from Lionel Messi in the first half, Madrid will also feel hard done after a potential morale-boosting goal was waved away at the start of the second half.

Referee Frank De Bleeckere judged Cristiano Ronaldo to have fouled Javier Mascherano from behind at the edge of the area despite the Portugal forward being nudged from behind by Gerard Pique, with Gonzalo Higuain's subsequent goal chalked off.

"Another (setback), like always,'' Casillas said as Barcelona's players celebrated on the pitch. "We're not going to get upset because it will just be used against us.''

Barcelona struck after that as Pedro gathered Iniesta's pass alone inside the area before beating Casillas with a low, left-footed shot.

directing play

Madrid, who looked listless for much of the match without Mourinho directing play, did come away with their first goal at the Camp Nou since 2007 when Xabi Alonso fed Di Maria in the 64th. Di Maria broke into the area and beat Victor Valdes but not the near post, although the ball bounced right back to the Argentina forward to slide a short pass over to Marcelo for the equaliser.

The Spanish champions will now go for their fourth European title and third since 2006. Madrid, meanwhile, come away from the four-game series between the historic rivals with just the Copa del Rey trophy.

Mourinho was banned from the touchline on a night of steady rain, reportedly watching from the comforts of his team hotel.

With goals needed, the Portuguese coach made changes from the first leg with Kaka replacing Mesut Oezil and Higuain starting. Defenders Pepe and Sergio Ramos were both suspended.

Barcelona fielded all eight of its World Cup winners as Iniesta returned after missing the bad-tempered opener that has UEFA examining six charges against the clubs, who were facing off for the fourth time in 18 days with a chance to play for Europe's biggest prize at stake.