Real Madrid advanced to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the first leg of their quarter-final encounter. The Spanish giants dominated the contest at Bernebau. Controlling the game from start to finish.
Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema scored the scoring in the 21st minute with a beautiful finish. And things got worse for Chelsea when defender Ben Chilwell was sent off for a dangerous foul on Rodrygo just outside the box. Chelsea’s task was made even more difficult when Marco Asensio extended the lead in the 74th minute.
Chelsea, led by manager Frank Lampard, were on the back foot from the start. Chilwell’s red card only made matters worse. Chelsea had a couple chances to get back into the game. But Real Madrid’s sturdy defence held them off.
Madrid Overpowers Chelsea
On the edge of the box, substitute Asensio received a pass from Vinicius. He hammered a low effort that went through the legs of Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana and past custodian Kepa Arrizabalaga’s dive. Real Madrid advanced to the quarter-finals over Chelsea. On April 18, the two teams will meet in the second leg.
Chelsea’s chances of reaching the semi-finals appear bleak. As they will need to score at least two goals in the second leg to stay in the competition. This is a difficult task for a team that has struggled to score consistently this season. Lampard and his team, on the other hand, will be praying for a miracle at Stamford Bridge.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, will be pumped up for the second leg. The side holds a two-goal lead and will aim to complete the task at Stamford Bridge. With a wealth of experience in knockout competitions, Real Madrid will be tough to beat, and they will be looking to progress to the semi-finals, where they will face either Manchester City or Bayern Munich.
Match Highlights
As the second half began, Carlo Ancelotti‘s team continued to look significantly stronger than their Premier League opponents, and Chelsea’s task became even more difficult before the hour when Ben Chilwell brought down Rodrygo from behind as he drove towards goal and was awarded a straight red card.
The one-way traffic became even more obvious, and Madrid quickly added a second when Marco Asensio blasted home a shot from the top of the penalty area just minutes after replacing Rodrygo in the 71st minute.
“He looks very good, he scores almost every game he plays,” Ancelotti remarked of Asensio after the game. “Whether he starts or comes on, he’s decisive; he can score or assist at any time.”
“Rodrygo is more daring, more vertical, takes players on, and moves without the ball.” Marco is skilled between the lines and has a powerful shot.”
Both Benzema and Vincius had another spectacular Champions League night, with the latter notching two assists to bring his total goal contributions in European play this season to 11, second only to Erling Haaland’s 12.