Chelsea left waiting for last 16 CL spot post being held to 1-1 away draw at Maribor

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

Jose Mourinho's side then misspent a gilt-edged chance of victory after the Slovenian side had threatened to pull off the shock result of this season's competition.

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 their Group G clash, Sport24 reported.

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 save Mourinho's team from a 1-0 loss.

Chelsea then missed several chances before Eden Hazard won a penalty with five minutes remaining after being brought down in the box by Mitja Viler. The midfielder took the penalty himself but impressive goalkeeper Jasmin Handanovic dived to his left to save the spot-kick.

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 after good work by John Terry following a corner.

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