Real Madrid have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League after a spectacular match. Despite never being ahead in the second leg against Chelsea, the Madrilenians prevailed in extra time in a nominal 3-2 defeat.
Real coach Carlo Ancelotti made a whopping five changes after the 2-0 loss to Getafe, bringing on defenders Mendy, Nacho and Carvajal and midfielders Kroos and Modric for Eder Militao (yellow suspension), Marcelo, Vazquez, Camavinga and Rodrygo (all on the bench). Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel made just one change after the 6-0 thrashing at Southampton: James replaced Christensen (bench).
Werner’s curious assist to Mount for 1-0
The game got off to a lively start. Both teams were looking for the way forward, often through the outsides. Vinicius Junior was the main source of activity – but chances were still scarce and the game went back and forth a lot in the early stages. But after 15 minutes, the ball was suddenly in the net: This was remarkable because Chelsea took the lead with their first serious shot attempt: Mount converted a rather accidental extension of Werner’s knee in the penalty area.
Chelsea increased the pressure and hardly allowed Real to develop. Benzema & Co. were always blocked in their attempts (for example in minute 23). However, Chelsea did not develop any excellent ideas either, which is why the game lost momentum. Real defended the 1:0 at the break, but did not have much trouble either. Only Rüdiger created some danger from distance (34th).
Rüdiger with a header – and a lively exchange of blows
The game became more dangerous after the restart: Courtois almost invited his former club Chelsea to score, but Casemiro was wide awake against Havertz (47th). A little later, however, it was 2:0: Rüdiger rose highest after a corner and nodded the ball into the bottom right corner of the net (51.). Real tried to come back immediately afterwards, but could not find a way past the strong Blues defence.
As a result, the defensive lines were really challenged in the gripping second half: Both sides had more chances, because Real also played along and Fede Valverde almost scored the 1:2 (62.). In a direct countermove it was suddenly 3:0 for Chelsea – because of a handball by the supposed goal scorer Marcos Alonso (63.) the VAR rightly conceded the goal. Madrid’s top striker Benzema, on the other hand, only hit the crossbar (66.).
Werner scores to make it 3:0, but he did not count on Modric
The Germans on the London side then caused a sensation: at the back, Rüdiger intervened decisively on a Kroos pass in front of the penalty area (68th) – and Werner scored at the front to make it 3-0! The attacker made Casemiro and Alaba look old and finished from close range (75.). That would have put Chelsea through.
In the final phase, things continued to heat up and Real increased the pressure. In addition to a golden hand from coach Carlo Ancelotti, a golden foot actually brought about the 1:3 tie: Modric spooned the ball with the outside of his foot precisely to Joker Rodrygo, who scored with a volley immediately after his substitution (80th). Chelsea’s substitute Pulisic, on the other hand, failed to put the Londoners back in front and into ecstasy in injury time (90.+2, 90.+4).
Benzema becomes Chelsea’s nightmare, and Courtois also acts strongly against his ex-club
This was provided by someone else in extra time – and who could it be but Real striker Benzema: The captain made it 3-2 with his fourth goal in both matches after he got the better of Rüdiger and the poor-looking Chelsea defence (96th). Otherwise, James (94th) for Chelsea and Camavinga for Madrid (103rd) scored narrowly over the goals.
Real Madrid have thus reached the semi-finals of the Champions League despite a 3-2 defeat and will have to play the winner between City and Atletico on 27 April – first away. In the league, Real continue at Sevilla FC on Sunday (9pm). Chelsea host Crystal Palace on the same day (5.30pm).
