Real Madrid met Chelsea in a thrilling second-leg battle in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie on Tuesday. After a sweating battle, Real Madrid beat the defending champions in Extra Time by 5-4 goals on aggregate. Karim Benzema’s header in Extra Time secured a spot in the semi-finals for the Spanish giants.
Match Overview
Chelsea was defeated in the first leg by 3-1 goals at Stamford Bridge by Real Madrid. The English side visited Madrid to play the second leg to overcome a deficit of 2 goals.
Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea showed a great comeback spirit, maintaining the momentum of their 6-0 goals away win in the EPL against Southampton. Chelsea boys enjoyed much of the ball, building up attacks early in the match. They hinted at an epic comeback by scoring the opener in the 15th minute. Mason Mount found space and sent a nicely controlled shot into nets, 1-0 ahead, 3-2 behind on aggregate.
The Blues stunned the home crowd of Madrid into silence by scoring another goal 6 minutes into the second half. Mason Mount assisted a header for Rudiger, who put it powerfully past Courtois into the nets, making it 2-0 on the night, 3-3 level on aggregate.
The defending champions conjured another blow in the 75th minute. Timo Werner put Chelsea ahead for the first time in this quarter-final tie, making it 3-0 on the night. The Blues were ahead by 4-3 goals on aggregate. Santiago Bernabeu was stunned as all hopes of Real Madrid seemed to be buried.
But the drama was yet to unfold as the 13 times UCL winners didn’t give up. Carlo Ancelotti brought Rodrygo in for Casemiro in the 78th minute. Real Madrid woke up from the grave to display the Luka Magic in the 80th minute. The Croatian veteran provided an incredible assist outside of his right foot for a volley for the super sub-Rodrygo. The Spanish giant made it 4-4 level on aggregate with 10 minutes of regulation time left on the clock. The UEFA Champions League never disappoints as the match went into extra time.
Chelsea couldn’t maintain their spirit for so long. Only 6 minutes into the extra time, Karim Benzema, the French goal machine, put a header at the bottom left corner into the nets, leading Real Madrid ahead by 5-4 goals on aggregate. Chelsea fought hard for another equalizer. When Kai Havertz and Pulisic missed their chances at the end, Chelsea were knocked out with a bitter win by 3-2 goals on the night.
Benzema scored 4 goals out of their 5, being the 2nd highest scorer of the UCL this season with 12 goals, one short of Robert Lewandowski. Luka Modric was the man of the match for his eye-pleasing assist to put Madrid level on aggregate with 10 minutes left on the clock. Chelsea was so close yet so far, unable to finish from the verge of an epic comeback.
Who will face Real Madrid in the semi-finals?
Real Madrid will face Manchester City or Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the UCL 2021-2022 season. It will be their 10th semi-final appearance in 12 seasons.
Manchester City will visit Wanda Metropolitano to play the second leg with a 1-0 advantage on aggregate against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. Here’s how to watch Atletico Madrid vs Manchester City.
