Real Madrid edge Chelsea in extra time to send reigning champions out

1 year ago
by hesgoaldd

Real Madrid 2-3 Chelsea (5-4 on aggregate)

Thomas Tuchel has been almost hysterically on the touchline throughout almost the entire second leg of Chelsea’s quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid, and he probably won’t calm down much when he sits down for his post-match analysis. After outsmarting Real Madrid for most of the match, Tuchel and Chelsea fans were left wondering what it would have been like to take their chances.

After just 15 minutes, Chelsea were ahead with a fine and well-finished goal scored by Mason Mount, giving them faith in control of the match. They pushed and investigated in the first half, earning their reward just six minutes into the second, as Antonio Rudiger headed home from a corner kick.

The match entered a new phase from that point on as the hosts were forced to be more adventurous. Marcos Alonso’s goal canceled out a handball from the left. Then Timo Werner took advantage of the same gap and put two Real Madrid defenders on the ground before pressing his effort past Thibaut Courtois. At this point, Chelsea were winning 4-3 on aggregate, but did not face Madrid’s inevitable reaction.

Unsurprisingly, it was Luka Modric who stepped in to produce an incredibly accurate ball, a half-goal in itself, for Rodrygo to finish his first goal against Edvard Mendy with ten minutes left. The Santiago Bernabéu was raising the noise level and with the dangers rising, so did it real madrid stars. Christian Pulisic had two chances in injury time to win them, before the extra period began. The kind that fans actually worry about the potential consequences before they happen.

Of course, Karim Benzema, the decisive factor in the equaliser was Chelsea’s punishment after six minutes of extra time. Vinicius Jr flew to the left and lifted it to take Benzema home – for once free from Rudiger. What would infuriate Chelsea most is that the excellent Kai Havertz hit a chance with a simple header afterward, before Jorginho pulled off a late attempt as well.

Chelsea leave Madrid in frustration despite beating Real Madrid 3-1 away after 90 minutes. It could and should have been more. There is something about Real Madrid though. Give them an inch and they’ll take a mile.

You may also like