Chelsea's remarkable comeback thwarted by Karim Benzema's extra-time winner
Sam Wallace
·33-min read
Real Madrid's striker Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring the 3-2 goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter final second leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Chelsea held at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, in Madrid, Spain, 12 April 2022 - JUANJO MARTIN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
The night belonged to Karim Benzema, which is the way everyone suspected it might end, although by the time Real Madrid’s famous No 9 scored his decisive fourth goal of the tie even he may have wondered if this was to be one of the Bernabeu’s most traumatic nights.
This Champions League quarter-final that looked like it was over last week had been in Chelsea’s hands - only for four minutes before it tumbled out of their grasp but what had preceded those four minutes had been astonishing. A comeback to compare with any other in the competition’s history, and unprecedented for an English club in the Bernabeu. Three goals without reply that put Chelsea into the lead on aggregate and within sight of the semi-finals.
Their 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge had been made good, and only then did it start to fall apart. Before then there had been four goals from the European champions, one of them scratched out by Var, until at last Real got their act together. Mason Mount, Antonio Rudiger and then Timo Werner had scored and the flavour of the evening up to that 75th minute was a dreadful reckoning for Real and Carlo Ancelotti and this strange team he marshals of famous survivors of eras past.
But then, Real are Real, Benzema is the one of the great goalscorers of the age, and they found a way back. It started with a ball from the outside of Luka Modric’s right boot, what might be one of the last great flourishes from the old master, that landed the ball at the feet of substitute Rodrygo, to score. That was 3-1 on the night and 4-4 on aggregate and then in the sixth minute of extra-time, Benzema scored to make it 5-4 over the two games – his fourth goal of the tie. By then this Real team, triumphant at Stamford Bridge, looked shattered.
Karim Benzema of Real Madrid scores their team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg Two match between Real Madrid and Chelsea FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 12, 2022 in Madrid, Spain - David Ramos/Getty Images
Real only just won this. Modric would later say he thought his team were “dead”. The home crowd, quiet for so much of it, seemed to feel the same. Even after Benzema had struck in extra-time the result remained in the balance to the end when Kai Havertz missed with a 115th minute header and Chelsea pressed on. After the demise of the Roman Abramovich ownership, the sting of that heavy first leg defeat, this might have felt like the best Thomas Tuchel and his players could have hoped for – but the truth is that they should have gone on to win this tie and claim a semi-final place.
It was in their hands, and there were chances, and mistakes too. The substitute Christian Pulisic should have scored a fourth that would have won the tie with the aggregate score at 4-4, just moments before the game went into extra-time. There was a bad misjudgement from N’Golo Kante that allowed Real to gather possession and attack down the right with Vinicius in the sixth minute of extra-time when Benzema’s goal was created. Tuchel seemed to know it too and Kante came off soon after, although it was already too late.
Why Kante reacted slowly to that loose ball that was seized on by substitute Eduardo Camavinga, perhaps his successor with the France team, is hard to say. The game passed him by in that moment and in those seconds a season can disappear. Although Tuchel would later rage at the Polish referee Szymon Marciniak for his decision to take his Var at his word without a review – and then later for “laughing and smiling” with Ancelotti – you could tell the German coach knew that Chelsea’s elimination was their own responsibility.
“We were beaten by the offensive conversion of our mistakes,” Tuchel said. Real had not created much on this night and neither, he said, had they done so the previous week at Stamford Bridge. “But they took every half chance and converted it. You have to reduce your amount of mistakes and we could not reduce ours”.
Chelsea had been fortunate at times, with a corner that was never a corner for Rudiger’s goal. This was not a good night for the referee Marciniak. Chelsea lost a Marcos Alonso goal, which would have been their third had it stood, to a handball spotted by the Var Tomasz Kwiatkowski who was given full authority to rule it out. They still won the game on the night although it hardly felt that way, beaten by the fourth of Benzema’s goals over the two legs, when this could have been one of their greatest wins.
That's the perfect start for Chelsea! 🔥
A fortunate way through for Mason Mount, but there was nothing fortunate about the finish... 🎯
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 12, 2022
From defeat at Brentford and at home to Real, to victory at Southampton and now the Bernabeu, this is a fretful team for a strange era in the club’s history. Tuchel acknowledged that his team can swing from one extreme to another and on this occasion he had nothing but praise for the way they pressed and corralled Real. He picked Ruben Loftus-Cheek at right wing-back as he had done in the win over Southampton and the Englishman was excellent. He left out Cesar Azpilicueta, recently recovered from Covid. Chelsea were looking for the swift turnovers in midfield and their moment came soon.
For the first goal from Mount it was a forward pass from Mateo Kovacic that Loftus-Cheek tried to play into the feet of Werner. The German’s nervous touch was off the right knee and suddenly Mount was through. His right foot shot was out of the reach of Thibaut Courtois. A great chance but one that needed a composed finisher.
The greatest threat in the opposite direction was the Brazilian Vinicius, a key figure in the first leg and a premium-standard domestique for the chief goalscoring act, Benzema. Reece James was never dominated by the Brazilian but he never quite had him under control. In the 51st minute it was James’ shot erroneously adjudged to have taken a touch off a home player and from the corner Rudiger scored. Alonso lost his goal to Var on 62 minutes but later Werner’s extraordinary series of feints, that sat down first Casemiro and then David Alaba, gave him a shooting chance for the third.
First Rodrygo would take the game into extra-time with that Modric-created goal before Kante hesitated and Real surged forward to create the second for Benzema. Somehow Real held on to reach their 31st semi-final in the European Cup and Champions League although it was Chelsea who ultimately let them do so.
09:54 PM
Thanks for joining me tonight
That was a superb game of football. Shame Chelsea couldn't do it in the end but they gave it a good go. Unless you wanted them to go out, that is. In which case: good for you.
If you refresh your page you will be able to read Sam Wallace's match report from the stadium. We'll be back tomorrow for the remaining two quarter-finals.
09:34 PM
FULL TIME: Real Madrid 2 Chelsea 3 (5-4 agg)
No, there is not. Chelsea's defence of their European crown ended valiantly but they were undone by the masters of European football after a superb performance at the Bernabeu.
What a pulsating, thrilling and tense game of football. Both sides gave everything. Chelsea were superb. But 3-1 was just too much to come back from.
09:33 PM
120+3 mins - Real Madrid 2 Chelsea 3 (5-4 agg)
Chelsea try to come again but their attack is thwarted... it's looking like it's all over but is there another twist in this incredible game?
09:32 PM
120+2 mins - Real Madrid 2 Chelsea 3 (5-4 agg)
Real Madrid get a free kick in the Chelsea half. Just need to keep the ball, don't they? Easier said than done. Chelsea have had the chances here, but they have wasted them. Courtois claims an attempted cross and delays things a little further.
09:31 PM
120 mins - Real Madrid 2 Chelsea 3 (5-4 agg)
Three minutes of added time in this second half of extra time.
Is that enough time?
09:30 PM
119 mins - Real Madrid 2 Chelsea 3 (5-4 agg)
It's a high corner... it finds its way back to Ziyech 30 yards out. He drags his shot but it goes straight to Jorginho's feet... he swings a leg but it's wide! A great position and should have done better from there. He had time, too. That needed to be on target.
09:28 PM
118 mins - Real Madrid 2 Chelsea 3 (5-4 agg)
It's a Chelsea corner... what can they do from it? Two minutes on the clock.
The big goalie's coming up!
09:27 PM
116 mins - Real Madrid 2 Chelsea 3 (5-4 agg)
The ball is pinging around in the Madrid box as Chelsea try to find a way through. It falls to Jorginho 12 yards out but it's blocked!
Then Havertz is in a great position to nod in a James cross but he nods wide. Off his shoulder a bit. Poor. That was a decent chance. More than decent. Had to hit the target at least. Chelsea creating chances. Can they get it to penalties?
09:25 PM
114 mins - Real Madrid 2 Chelsea 3 (5-4 agg)
Ziyech with a chance. He has space, and choices on his right in the box but he shoots. Slices across it about 15 yards out but it's a fairly routine save for Courtois. Not an easy chance from that angle.
09:24 PM
112 mins - Real Madrid 2 Chelsea 3 (5-4 agg)
Tuchel is animated in the extreme on the sidelines for what he thinks is a foul on Rudiger. Tuchel is booked for remonstrating and so is Azpilicueta.
09:22 PM
110 mins - Real Madrid 2 Chelsea 3 (5-4 agg)
Chelsea just finding it a little harder to create chances now they have to chase the game.
Reece James of Chelsea, Ferland Mendy of Real Madrid, Mason Mount of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid v Chelsea at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 12, 2022 in Madrid Spain - Getty Images Europe
There's still time, though. Just about.
09:20 PM
108 mins - Real Madrid 2 Chelsea 3 (5-4 agg)
It nearly happens again... Havertz chasing down Cortois, who dwells on the ball in his own box. Great bit of skill to get it out again, though.
Chelsea putting a lot of energy into this. Rudiger wins a free kick in his own half. Again Chelsea come on the right...
09:17 PM
106 mins - Real Madrid 2 Chelsea 3 (5-4 agg)
What have you got, Chelsea? This has been the near polar opposite to their performance last week. They're nearly in again as Courtois is nearly chased down after a pass back but manages to connect enough to clear the danger.
09:15 PM
KICK OFF: EXTRA TIME SECOND HALF
Here we go. Again.
09:12 PM
HALF TIME, EXTRA TIME: Real Madrid 2 Chelsea 3 (5-4 agg)
What other turns and twists are left in this tie? Chelsea need a goal again to take it to penalties.
09:11 PM
103 mins - Real Madrid 2 Chelsea 3 (5-4 agg)
Madrid very much on the up here. It's one of those. The side that ends the 90 minutes stronger has ended up on the back foot in the first part of extra time. They just need to regroup and get back into this now. Alonso is fouled in the Madrid half.
09:09 PM
101 mins - Real Madrid 2 Chelsea 3 (5-4 agg)
Alonso takes the corner, Havertz meets it and heads it down tamely. Courtois takes it comfortably. No pace or power on it.
Yellow card for Ziyech for a foul on Lucas Vazquez.
09:08 PM
100 mins - Real Madrid 2 Chelsea 3 (5-4 agg)
Chelsea very much on the back foot in this half of extra time. James wins a foul in his own half and perhaps it's just as well. There's still plenty of time in this game, which has been end to end for much of the night.
Ziyech has just come on and wins a corner with a deflected shot.
09:06 PM
98 mins - Real Madrid 2 Chelsea 3 (5-4 agg)
Can Chelsea come back from this? They have been excellent all night but they have now conceded two without reply after going 3-0 up.
09:05 PM
GOAAAAAAL! BENZEMA WITH HIS FOURTH OF THE TIE
A bit of confusion in the midfield from Chelsea in the midfield helps Madrid to the ball. Vinicius breaks down the left and chips it straight towards Benzema waiting in the middle.
Rudiger, who is on the striker, falls over allowing him a free header. He obliges and nods a powerful header it into the back of the net. Madrid are ahead in the tie again! Chelsea look shocked.
Karim Benzema of Real Madrid scores their team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg Two match between Real Madrid and Chelsea FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 12, 2022 in Madrid, Spain - Getty Images Europe
Real Madrid 2 Chelsea 3 (5-4 agg)
09:00 PM
92 mins - Real Madrid 1 Chelsea 3 (4-4 agg)
Had away goals been in place (it's not) we'd still have ended up in extra time. Or not. The teams might have played differently and Chelsea's task would have seemed steeper before kick off. Anyway, we're into extra time now and the game is continuing were it left off.
James lets fly from the right edge of the box after driving through but it doesn't trouble Cortois in the slightest.
08:59 PM
Watch: Rodrygo gets a crucial goal for Madrid
This was the goal that levelled the tie on aggregate. What a ball from Modric.
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 12, 2022
08:57 PM
KICK OFF: EXTRA TIME
We are under way in the first half of extra time.
08:52 PM
FULL TIME: Real Madrid 1 Chelsea 3 (4-4 agg)
We are heading into extra time after a fantastic 90 minutes. Who knows what will happen in the next 45 minutes?
08:52 PM
90+3 mins - Real Madrid 1 Chelsea 3 (4-4 agg)
That was not the chance! There was another! And again for Pulisic. Maybe even better.
Chelsea with a free kick on the left, 40 yards out or so. Alonso sends it short to James who sends it to Havertz... he heads it down to Pulisic in close again but the American puts it over again! Two chances within moments.
08:50 PM
90+2 mins - Real Madrid 1 Chelsea 3 (4-4 agg)
Chance for Pulisic! Great run into the box, Rudiger nods on from a cross over the top but hits it well and over from a tight angle... was that the chance? There could be another...
08:49 PM
90 mins - Real Madrid 1 Chelsea 3 (4-4 agg)
Camavinga with a yellow card that after a foul breaks down a Chelsea counter attack. Wise, really.
08:48 PM
90 mins - Real Madrid 1 Chelsea 3 (4-4 agg)
That's the end of normal time.
There will be a minimum of four minutes of added time before extra time.
Can either side find a winner?
08:47 PM
89 mins - Real Madrid 1 Chelsea 3 (4-4 agg)
Chelsea's attacks continue. Two corners. The second ends in Rudiger fouling Modric in the box. Just moments of normal time remaining.
08:44 PM
86 mins - Real Madrid 1 Chelsea 3 (4-4 agg)
Mount with the shot in the box. Worth a go in space but his shot is blocked by Camavinga. Maybe should have passed to Alonso to his right who was free and in a better position. Tuchel having a whale of a time on the touchline.
08:43 PM
84 mins - Real Madrid 1 Chelsea 3 (4-4 agg)
What a game this has been. How much longer will we have of it? Heading into extra time as it stands.
08:40 PM
81 mins - Real Madrid 1 Chelsea 3 (4-4 agg)
Modric with the shot from distance this time! Stuck well but saved by Mendy. Then Chelsea come again with a counter. End to end stuff in a pulsating game.
08:39 PM
GOAAAAAAL! MADRID ARE LEVEL IN THE TIE!
Modric the provider with an astonishing ball over the top. He's in space, with the outside of his right boot, picks out Rodrygo, who had just come on, and the Brazilian slots home superbly from 12 yards out to put Madrid on level terms!
Soccer Football - Champions League - Quarter Final - Second Leg - Real Madrid v Chelsea - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - April 12, 2022 Real Madrid's Rodrygo scores - Action Images via Reuters
Real Madrid 1 Chelsea 3 (4-4 agg)
08:36 PM
77 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 3 (3-4 agg)
Nearly four! Well, not quite. A free header for Havertz but it's an easy save for Courtois. Madrid are rocked.
08:35 PM
75 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 3 (3-4 agg)
What can you say about this Chelsea performance? Simply, gobsmackingly good.
08:32 PM
GOAAAAAAAAAAL! CHELSEA 3 REAL MADRID 0
They've done it again! Werner!
What a crucial goal that is. And this one will count!
Kovacic slots Werner through in the box. In miles of space as Madrid's players track back.
Chelsea's Timo Werner celebrates after he scored his side's third goal during the Champions League, quarterfinal second leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Chelsea at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, April 12, - AP
He's on the left of the box, tries to cut back, does it... doesn't shoot, cuts back again and then gets his shot away with his right boot. It strikes Cortois's undercarriage and ends up in the back of the net!
Absolute scenes. As they say.
Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 3 (3-4 agg)
08:31 PM
Watch: Alonso handball overturns Chelsea's potentially game-winning goal
Chelsea thought they had gone ahead in the tie...
🖥 But after a VAR review, it was judged Marcos Alonso handled the ball in the build-up to scoring ❌
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 12, 2022
08:30 PM
71 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 2 (3-3 agg)
Change for Real Madrid. Camavinga on for Toni Kroos.
08:29 PM
69 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 2 (3-3 agg)
The crowd are up again. It's still incredibly tense. We're heading to extra time as it stands. Either side looks like they could score...
08:25 PM
66 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 2 (3-3 agg)
Chelsea's best chance of winning this tie is to score again. That much is obvious, you may say. But what I am trying to say is that I see no real way this game is going to stay at 2-0 and go to penalties.
08:24 PM
64 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 2 (3-3 agg)
They go again... Madrid had been getting back into the game after that. And now Mendy sends in a cross from the left. Benzema is free in the middle, he heads it across goal and across Mendy between the sticks but it rattles the bar! Should have scored. Should have scored. This is a tremendous game of knockout football.
08:20 PM
Alonso has the ball in the back of the net but it's overturned by Var
Kante slides him through on the edge of the box, Alonso's first shot is blocked but it falls back to him and he thrashes it again past Cortois into the top corner!
Quarter Final - Second Leg - Real Madrid v Chelsea - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - April 12, 2022 Chelsea's Marcos Alonso celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates before it is disallowed after a VAR review - REUTERS
Looks like they're going to check for handball as the ball bounced back though... it would be very harsh. His arm was tucked into his waist but the goal is overturned... it did hit his hand but that seems harsh.
Kai Havertz reacts after the referee Szymon Marciniak disallows a goal by Marcos Alonso of Chelsea (not pictured) after a VAR decision during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg Two match between Real Madrid and Chelsea FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 12, 2022 in Madrid, Spain - Getty Images Europe
08:19 PM
61 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 2 (3-3 agg)
Nearly! Carvajal shoots hard from the edge of the box and it's just over...
Chelsea counter.
08:17 PM
59 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 2 (3-3 agg)
Seems like Tuchel is starting to believe that his 'dead' tie is alive once more.
Quarter Final - Second Leg - Real Madrid v Chelsea - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - April 12, 2022 Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel celebrates their second goal scored by Antonio Rudiger - Action Images via Reuters
Benzema was nearly in after a cross from the left. He couldn't quite get there but it would have been a tap in. Madrid looking a bit sharper.
08:15 PM
57 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 2 (3-3 agg)
It has been a bit better from Madrid in this half but you get the feeling that Chelsea will continue to create chances... and they do. Havertz is threaded through, he takes his time on the left of the box but his shot is sliced, left-footed into the side-netting.
08:13 PM
55 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 2 (3-3 agg)
It's Kroos with the free kick. Decent, well struck and on target but Mendy palms away to his right. He's not really been called into action much this evening.
08:13 PM
54 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 2 (3-3 agg)
Kante fouls Casemiro about 20 yards out and the Madrid player makes an awful meal of it. Foul yes, bad one no.
08:12 PM
52 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 2 (3-3 agg)
A chance for Benzema on the left edge of the six-yard box but it's blocked. A bit of a slice, actually... no, James got a toe to the ball before Benzema could make contact. Great interception.
08:09 PM
GOAAAAAAL! 2-0 CHELSEA!
And that IS 2-0! The corner comes in, Rudiger is free and heads into the near post from around 10 yards out. It's level on aggregate in Madrid. Tuchel is... delighted at that.
Soccer Football - Champions League - Quarter Final - Second Leg - Real Madrid v Chelsea - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - April 12, 2022 Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger celebrates scoring their second goal - Action Images via Reuters
Real Madrid 2 Chelsea 2 (3-3 agg)
08:07 PM
49 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 1 (3-2 agg)
Nearly 2-0! A Chelsea corner brings another chance. Madrid under real pressure here. James' deflected shot is just wide for another corner...
08:05 PM
47 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 1 (3-2 agg)
It's a bright start again for Chelsea. Mount looks to have fouled Courtois as he chased a loose ball, but it looks dubious. Might it have been the other way around? No. But Casemiro might have fouled Mount in charging through. Goal kick, anyway. Var do not look.
08:04 PM
46 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 1 (3-2 agg)
Nearly an early chance in the half for Chelsea with Loftus-Cheek on the right. His cross is blocked. No changes for either team at the half, however.
08:02 PM
KICK OFF: SECOND HALF
Reminder that away goals have no bearing on this fixture. Chelsea need just one more unanswered goal to take this beyond 90 minutes.
Can Chelsea continue their good form in this game? It was an excellent first half.
07:47 PM
HALF TIME: Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 1 (3-2 agg)
That's the first 45 minutes Chelsea fans will have wanted. Well 4-0 would be better, wouldn't it? But realistically...
07:46 PM
44 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 1 (3-2 agg)
Nothing doing from that free kick. Courtois gets the goal kick and boots it long. Chelsea have really been superb this first half. A complete performance across the pitch so far. Keep it up and that second goal may come.
07:45 PM
42 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 1 (3-2 agg)
I think I'd be pretty nervous now if I were a Real Madrid fan. Just at the general situation and performance. Not because Chelsea have a free kick 35-yards out from goal.
07:42 PM
40 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 1 (3-2 agg)
Loftus-Cheek in a bit of pain just in the Madrid half as he is apparently fouled by Vinicius. Not really sure if he fell awkwardly as it didn't look especially problematic when the challenge was ongoing. Yeah. Must have been the landing.
07:41 PM
38 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 1 (3-2 agg)
Match stats so far: Chelsea with seven shots and two on target. Madrid with three shots, none on target. A worrying first half so far for Carlo Ancelotti.
Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti (R) reacts during the UEFA Champions League quarter final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and Chelsea FC at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on April 12, 2022 - AFP
07:39 PM
38 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 1 (3-2 agg)
Benzema booked for catching Thiago Silva with his arm in the air. Fans not pleased.
07:37 PM
36 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 1 (3-2 agg)
Chelsea with 53 per cent possession so far in this half. That would be closer to 60 in the last 20 minutes, I reckon.
07:36 PM
34 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 1 (3-2 agg)
Rudiger has a shot from at least 30 yards. It's well struck, dipping but goes wide to Courtois' right. Not too far away but not really threatening the goal much either. Madrid just cannot get the ball... and when they do they can't keep it.
Chelsea's Mason Mount, left, Real Madrid's Federico Valverde, center, and Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger fight for the ball during the Champions League, quarterfinal second leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Chelsea at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. - AP
07:34 PM
33 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 1 (3-2 agg)
The screeches and whistles ring out at the Santiago Bernabeu as Chelsea keep possession. Madrid without much of the ball in the last 15 minutes. At all. Chelsea looking composed. Still hassling Madrid in and out of possession.
07:32 PM
31 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 1 (3-2 agg)
Madrid get a chance to come back at Chelsea, this time on the right. There's a bit of space but not in a very useful area. Modric to Benzema who lays it off to Casemiro. He shoots from 20 yards out but it's a horrible high and wide slice with his left foot. Awful and a waste.
07:30 PM
Watch: Mount gives Chelsea early lead
That's the perfect start for Chelsea! 🔥
A fortunate way through for Mason Mount, but there was nothing fortunate about the finish... 🎯
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 12, 2022
07:30 PM
28 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 1 (3-2 agg)
Chelsea come again but Loftus-Cheek makes a sloppy mistake in letting the ball run out of play. Tuchel is furious.
07:29 PM
26 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 1 (3-2 agg)
Chelsea keep getting into the Madrid box. Encouraging start. They are hassling the white shirts all across the pitch. Madrid have been able to break but haven't been able to do much with it so far. Benzema without much support.
Federico Valverde of Real Madrid in action with Mason Mount of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg Two match between Real Madrid and Chelsea FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 12, 2022 in Madrid, Spain - Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
07:25 PM
23 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 1 (3-2 agg)
Benzema with a shot from around 22 yards out but it's deflected over for a corner. Mendy comes to punch but it's a bit flappy, not making great contact with the ball. It's out - somehow - for a Chelsea throw in.
07:22 PM
21 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 1 (3-2 agg)
Mount to Werner this time gives Chelsea another chance. It's a bit wide for Mount for it to be considered a real chance and is blocked. Good movement again from the visitors, though.
07:21 PM
18 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 1 (3-2 agg)
The Real Madrid fans are in full force now. I can't see this ending without at least another goal...
07:18 PM
15 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 1 (3-2 agg)
A really well taken goal from Mason Mount, that. That puts Madrid under a little more pressure in the tie. They have broken through Chelsea's lines a couple of times since the goal already. Vinicius Jr gets in behind on the left but there are no Madrid players in the box so his cross is a bit useless. Not his fault.
07:16 PM
GOAAAAAAL! CHELSEA WITH THE EARLY GOAL!
That's what they wanted. Loftus Cheek plays it to Werner, who thighs the ball through to Mason Mount who slots home from 16 yards out. Inside of the right foot and curls it around Courtois to give Chelsea a great start in Madrid!
Mason Mount scores Chelsea's opener - Action Images via Reuters
Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 1 (3-2 agg)
07:14 PM
13 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 0
Corner taken but Rudiger heads over from 12 yards out. A free header but can't get it down towards goal, looping over.
07:13 PM
12 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 0
Modric has looked pretty lively in midfield so far.
Quarter Final - Second Leg - Real Madrid v Chelsea - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - April 12, 2022 Real Madrid's Luka Modric in action with Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger - REUTERS
Madrid becoming increasingly slick. Chelsea break, though, and win a corner. Better. Mistake from Valverde started it off.
07:11 PM
10 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 0
Benzema takes with his right but he misses the target, going over the bar.
07:11 PM
9 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 0
Madrid with some joy down the left so far, the ball coming through Mendy this time. Vinicius wins a free kick, being fouled by James just outside the box. Went past him quickly and James pulled him back. A booking for the Chelsea man. This is about 20 yards out, just on the left.
07:08 PM
7 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 0
Vinicius Jr making himself a nuisance on the left edge of the box, going back and forth before firing a cross in. A fairly intense game in the early stages. Chelsea pressing hard.
07:07 PM
5 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 0
Modric to Vinicius and then Benzema... Kante snuffs out the attack on the edge of the box. Werner breaks into the box via a few deflections but it's Casemiro who defends well. Havertz then fouls Kroos on the right edge of the box.
07:05 PM
4 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 0
Nice movement between Loftus-Cheek and Havertz on the right. Loftus-Cheek runs himself into a bit of a corner, James then goes down 20 yards out but no free kick. Rudiger sends the ball in but Alaba clears for Real Madrid to break... it looks a bit dangerous with Valverde sprinting hard on the right but Chelsea clear the danger.
07:03 PM
2 mins - Real Madrid 0 Chelsea 0
Madrid with the ball in the opening couple of minutes. Chelsea in their away strip of yellow.
06:59 PM
KICK OFF
Here we go. Is this where Chelsea's defence ends? Or kicks back into life?
Bit of a strange one actually as Real Madrid kick off as Chelsea go to take the knee.
06:56 PM
Five minutes until kick off...
Predictions? A Chelsea win? Maybe... but by enough of a margin? Hmmmm.
06:50 PM
The warm-ups in full flow
Didn't look like an especially nice day in Madrid. Rain perhaps has cleared up in time for kick off, though.
Karim Benzema of Real Madrid along with team mates warm up prior to the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg Two match between Real Madrid and Chelsea FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 12, 2022 in Madrid, Spain - Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Champions League - Quarter Final - Second Leg - Real Madrid v Chelsea - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - April 12, 2022 Chelsea's Reece James - Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
06:44 PM
Tuchel speaks to BT Sport
Everybody wants an early goal in every little match. We will try, no matter who scores the first goal. We will try to get a lead to get maybe into their minds and cause some doubt. Even if it's the other way around we will try.
We have to take some risks. We want to play a higher line of pressing... we want to have more players closer to the ball. This is what we try today. Timo [Werner] is a part of it. Hopefully he can keep the momentum and continue.
06:34 PM
Steve Pagliuca breaks silence on Chelsea bid and promises 'world-class' Stamford Bridge revamp
Anotherstory on Chelsea's ownership saga from Tom Morgan as the Boston Celtics co-owner pledges investment to keep winning Premier League, Champions League and Women’s Super League titles.
06:22 PM
How Chelsea can do the 'almost impossible' and knock out Real Madrid
No doubt it is a stiff task that Chelsea face in Madrid tonight. How can they do the 'almost impossible' and fell the 13-time champions? Sam Deantook a look at what they need to do for what would be a fantastic comeback.
06:08 PM
Madrid arrive
The team bus of Real Madrid arrives to Santiago Bernabeu stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter final second leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Chelsea FC in Madrid, Spain, 12 April 2022 - ZIPI/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Welcome to our coverage for tonight's Champions League quarter-final second leg between Real Madrid and Chelsea. The 3-1 deficit Thomas Tuchel's side have to overturn in Madrid looks a mountainous task. In the first leg at Stamford Bridge they were undone by Karim Benzema's hat-trick. Will this be the end of Chelsea's defence of their European crown?
After the first leg, Thomas Tuchel said that the tie was already over, adding that if they repeated their Stamford Bridge performance in Madrid, that they would be hammered. They bounced back with a 6-0 hammering of Southampton away at the weekend, so they have started to rediscover some form.
It looks likely that Madrid will remain on course to win the famous trophy for a potentially record-extending 14th time. Yet Real Madrid midfield Casemiro has said they will not fall into the trap of thinking the tie is done and dusted.
"We won't fall for that," Casemiro told a news conference on Monday. "We played probably what was the best 90 minutes of our season in London last week and took a major step closer to qualifying for the semi-final but we can’t get overly confident.
"We all heard what Thomas Tuchel said. We don't buy it. We know that it will be a tough game. They are defending champions and we won’t take this game lightly, I can assure you of that."
Coach Carlo Ancelotti agreed with Casemiro that they will not fall for Tuchel putting all the pressure on Real Madrid.
"Chelsea will come here to rescue the tie, I have no doubt about it," the Italian told a news conference when asked if Tuchel was playing mind games against his side.
"He can say whatever he wants but I'm sure Chelsea will come here to win, that’s the spirit of football, the spirit of big clubs and great players, to never give up."
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