Real Madrid and Chelsea clashed for the third consecutive season, and this time it was Real Madrid who came out on top with a commanding 2-0 win, putting them in a favorable position for the semi-finals. The match started with Chelsea impressing in the opening minutes, with João Félix and N’Golo Kanté leading electric counter-attacks. However, as the game progressed, Real Madrid found their rhythm.

Real Madrid’s deadly duo of Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior combined for the opener, with Vinicius finding the back of the net after a ball over the top. Although Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa managed to get a hand to it, he couldn’t push it wide enough, allowing Benzema to tap it in for a 1-0 lead. Chelsea had their chances too, with Raheem Sterling denied an equalizer by former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, and attempts from Rodrygo and Valverde falling short.

In the second half, Chelsea’s impressive defending kept Real Madrid at bay, and it seemed like the hosts were running out of answers. Kalidou Koulibaly made a crucial defensive play to prevent a potential breakaway from Rodrygo. However, Chelsea’s hard work was undone when Ben Chilwell was shown a straight red card for fouling Vinicius on a breakaway, leaving Chelsea with 10 men on the field.

With a man advantage, Real Madrid continued to pile on the pressure and needed substitute Marco Asensio to double their lead with a well-placed strike from range, just three minutes after coming on. Substitute Mason Mount had a late chance to pull one back for Chelsea, but his effort was blocked by former teammate Antonio Rüdiger.

The result means that Frank Lampard, Chelsea’s manager, is still searching for his first win against Real Madrid, and Chelsea has a tough task ahead of them at Stamford Bridge if they want to overturn the two-goal deficit and progress in the Champions League. Real Madrid, on the other hand, has one foot in the semi-finals and will be looking to capitalize on their advantage in the second leg.

Advertisement