On Wednesday, defending champions Real Madrid claimed a 2-0 victory against Chelsea in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg clash, courtesy of goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain.
The hosts featured Benzema in attack, with Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo supporting on the wings. For Chelsea, interim coach Frank Lampard started with Joao Felix and Raheem Sterling in a two-man attack, with Ben Chilwell and Reece James as wing-backs.
In the 21st minute, Benzema put Real Madrid ahead after a pass from Vinicius Jr. found the Frenchman unmarked in the box.
Madrid weren’t stopping there and looked to extend its lead as they created numerous chances in the first half. However, Chelsea held on to make the scores respectable by halftime.
In the 59th minute, the match got more difficult for Chelsea as defender Chilwell was sent off for pulling Madrid winger Rodrygo back just outside the penalty area when he was through on goal.
The hosts looked to take advantage with the sending off and substitute Asensio put the result beyond doubt when his low strike beat Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to make the scores 2-0.
Chelsea looked to respond and almost pulled a goal back when Mason Mount’s goal-bound effort was cleared off the line by former team-mate Antonio Rudiger.
However, the matched finished 2-0 in favour of Real Madrid, who have one leg in the semi-finals of yet another UEFA Champions League campaign.
Real Madrid get the job done 💥#UCL pic.twitter.com/w4AvWa3p8F
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 12, 2023
The second leg clash will take place on the 18th of April at Stamford Bridge. The winners will play either Manchester City or Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.
Up next for Chelsea is Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday, while Real Madrid will travel to Cadiz in LaLiga, also on Saturday.
Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League results
AC Milan 1-0 Napoli
Real Madrid 2-0 Chelsea.
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