Mourinho had the demanded the game of their lives from his players but his defence, which he so often relies on, produced their least impressive performance of the season as Chelsea, the only English representative remaining in the Champions League, bowed out apologetically.
As Mourinho exited the European Cup at the semi-final stage for the third successive season, Terry forced back the tears just as he had done in Moscow in 2009, ultimately consoled by former Chelsea colleague and Atlético skipper for the evening Tiago Cardoso.
He knows the hugely detrimental goals scored by Adriàn López, Diego Costa and Arda Turan could have been thwarted. Defensive errors, unusual though, were culpable for all three, and ultimately Chelsea's rueful elimination, Fernando Torres's first-half goal triggering belief and an excellent Atlético fightback.
Their progression into the final on 24 May accentuates the extraordinary development Diego Simeone has overseen in the Rojiblanco quarter of Madrid, as the Argentine laid an advanced case for a managerial berth at Manchester United. Portugal's capital Lisbon will host the showpiece final between the Spanish capital's finest.
It will be the first final contested by two clubs of the same city but it wad totally deserved. Turan was excellent, as was Koke. Their best player though was the right-back Juanfran, who defended in disciplined fashion and attacked with such gusto, creating two goals. The Spaniard will need all of his many qualities to stifle Ronaldo in Lisbon.
Real will inevitably be favourites given their possession of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale as they continue their hunt for "la décima", their 10th European Cup, but Atlético are tasked with their own mission; to end 45 years of hurt.
Prior to kick-off, the European Cup trophy was paraded around West London. The Chelsea and Atlético supporters could sense they were so close to glory in Europe's elite competition.
This was typical Mourinho, bewildering with his team selection on a monumental evening. Terry, who Mourinho claimed would only feature this season in the final were Chelsea to reach it, started as did Hazard, with the Belgian returning from a troublesome calf strain.
César Azpilicueta, despite UEFA claiming the Spaniard to be selected on the left of the three supporting Torres, started on the right, protecting Ivanovic from the marauding runs of Felipe Luis and Turan's propensity to find small pockets of space.
Mourinho's defensive reinforcements were immediately forced into action, Terry scrambling away the remains of Koke's lob which crashed against the crossbar. Stamford Bridge sighed a collective sigh of relief.
The home support and the vocal Atletico faithful were treated to a brief period of end-to-end football amongst the meticulous tactical warfare between Mourinho and Simeone, Willian's costless-kick curling narrowly beyond the goal and Cahill excellently thwarting Costa.
With the Bridge engulfed by anxiety, Costa and Luiz forced gasps. The Ibérian-Brazilian, following a slick Atlético move, was stifled by Cahill. Luiz fired narrowly wide with an exuberant overhead kick.
Chelsea continued to defend stoutly, Terry brilliantly heading away Koke's dangerous costless-kick delivery.
For a brief moment, Chelsea released their handbrakes. Willian wriggled in-between Adriàn and Felipe and Azpilicueta picked up the remains, pulling the ball back towards Torres who, off Miranda, slotted beyond the reach of Courtois. He refused to celebrate, instead accepting the embraces of his colleagues. He is so indebted to this club.
On the stroke of half-time, it was a striker shorn of goals who registered one of great importance. Credit must be directed at Juanfran for retrieving a lost cause and providing Adrián with a decent pull-back for the striker to thump home and leave Terry, culpable for the detrimental away goal, holding his head. It was his third goal in his last 54 appearances.
Atlético began the second period as they had left off in the first. The La Liga leaders appealed in vain for a perceived push on Mario Suarez before Arda Turan forced Schwarzer into a fantastic stop. They were building on their ascendency.
Courtois laid an advanced case for a starting berth next season, the Belgian pushing away Terry's powerful header. As Chelsea had nothing to lose, Mourinho gambled, replacing the exasperated Cole for Eto'o.
As Mourinho's withdrawal of a defensive player enticed the opening of the game, Costa drifted beyond Eto'o before forcing Rizzoli to point to the spot, the Brazilian hauled down under Eto'o's presence. After receiving a yellow card for his delaying of the spot-kick, Atlético were firmly in the ascendency. Chelsea now needed two to equalise.
As Ba prepared for his introduction, ultimately for Torres, Luiz almost scored the first, heading Willian's enticing costless-kick delivery against the crossbar. But Arda headed against the post and scored, effectively sending Atlético to Lisbon's final.
From Suarez's wonderful long-range pass, Hazard switched off, permitting Juanfran to cross towards Arda who reacted first to his crossbar-hitting header to finish in composed fashion, sending Simeone hurtling around his technical area.
As Mourinho sent on Andre Schurrle, now gambling obliviously, Atlético were gifted with space to exploit. Filipe scampered forward, nutmegged Ivanovic and saw his delicate chip withdrawn from the air by Schwarzer's out-stretchered right hand.
Hazard fought on gallantly, forcing Courtois into two decent stops. But the damage was already inflicted by then.