Result
Chelsea and Real Madrid played out the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash on Tuesday evening.
Madrid, of course, headed into the game at the Bernabeu as clear favourites to progress after a Karim Benzema masterclass in the reverse fixture that saw Real run out 3-1 victors on the day.
And, despite Chelsea’s best efforts, they were unable to overturn that deficit this week.
The tie started fairly end-to-end, but it was actually Chelsea who took the lead 14 minutes in when Mason Mount latched onto a through ball from Timo Werner before curling one past Thibaut Courtois.
Chelsea then added their second of the day five minutes into the second half as Antonio Rudiger directed his header goalward.
Chelsea thought they had completed their historic comeback 74 minutes in when Timo Werner was slipped in before sitting down three players and slotting past Courtois.
However, some magic from Luka Modric brought Real back on level terms just six minutes later.
Karim Benzema then stepped up five minutes into extra time to put Madrid in front and win them the tie.
Real Madrid player ratings
Thibaut Courtois (6) – Should have done a lot better with Werner’s goal. Was a composed figure late on when needed.
Daniel Carvajal (4.5) – Poor tracking of Werner for Chelsea’s third of the night.
Nacho Fernandez (5.5) – Didn’t do a lot wrong on the night but still allowed three Chelsea goals.
David Alaba (4.5) – Dragged out of position for the Mount opener.
Ferland Mendy (4) – Struggled to deal with the threat of Loftus-Cheek and Reece James down Chelsea’s right.
Casemiro (3) – Had trouble picking up Loftus-Cheek, who was constantly drifting into a central spot from his right-wing-back role. Lucky not to give away a penalty for his trip on Havertz early in the second half. Off after 78 minutes.
Luka Modric (8) – Quiet first half and was at fault for Chelsea’s second goal, being all too easily shoved to the ground by Rudiger. However, he then played a simply sensational ball to Rodrygo late in normal time to bring Madrid back on level terms and was the home side's best player in extra time.
Toni Kroos (5) – Taken off after 73 minutes after a largely ineffective showing.
Federico Valverde (6) – Didn’t offer much going forward but was good at tracking back.
Karim Benzema (7) – The Frenchman’s threat was largely neutralised in the first 45, being reduced to one long-range effort that nearly caused a problem for Mendy due to a deflection. Hit the bar with a header 65 minutes in and then scored the crucial goal 95 minutes in.
Vinicius Junior (6.5) – Caused Chelsea issues down their right-hand side due to his blistering pace. Good cross for the Benzema goal.
Substitutes
Edouardo Camavinga (6) – A much livelier presence than the likes of Kross and Casemiro.
Marcelo (5.5) – Much more effective than Mendy when he came on and was key to finding Modric in the build-up to Madrid’s first.
Rodrygo (6) – Excellent finish for the Madrid equaliser 80 minutes in.
Lucas Vazquez (5) – Made a few decent blocks and tackles.
Dani Ceballos (N/A) – Not on the pitch long enough.
Chelsea player ratings
Edouard Mendy (5.5) – Had nothing to do in the first half except make one punch. Couldn’t do much about the Rodrygo goal and was then wrong-footed for Benzema’s winner.
Reece James (6.5) – Had the unenvious task of dealing with Vinicius Junior on the night, a task that was made a lot harder when James picked up a yellow for a foul on the Brazilian less than 10 minutes in.
James kept the South American quiet for large periods but was not tracking him when he set up Benzema.
Thiago Silva (6) – Did a good job keeping Benzema quiet in the first 45. Poor marking of Rodrygo for his goal.
Antonio Rudiger (7) – Helped neutralise Benzema’s threat in 90 minutes and was also a useful asset going forward thanks to his aerial prowess – he scored a header for the second goal of the day. However, he slipped when attempting to challenge Benzema when he scored Madrid’s second.
Marcos Alonso (5.5) – Sloppy in possession early on and did not track Rodrygo well for his goal. Thought he had scored Chelsea’s third of the day, but it was ruled out by VAR.
N’Golo Kante (6) – A much brighter start to this game than the first leg, with Kante completing 34 of his 39 passes in the first half on Tuesday - 16 more than he manged in the first half of the reverse fixture. However, the Frenchman tired as the game wore on and his pressing of Vinicius was poor in the build-up to Benzema’s goal. Off after 100 minutes.
Mateo Kovacic (7.5) – Started the match well, tracking back to help out Chelsea’s back four and breaking up play with some key interceptions and tackles. Also provided the through ball for Chelsea’s third.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (7) – Made a clever run into the centre of the pitch, which dragged David Alaba out of position, to provide the pre-assist for Mount’s opener. Could have tracked Vinicius better for Real’s winner.
Mason Mount (8) – Poor in possession at the start of the match but he would score the opener with a lovely, curled finish and also set up Rudiger for the second.
Kai Havertz (6) – Passing was solid and attempted to press from the front. Very unlucky not to have won his side a penalty early in the second 45. Missed a huge chance late on.
Timo Werner (8) – Provided the assist for Mount’s opener and was then incredibly composed to net Chelsea’s third. Taken off after 83 minutes.
Substitutes
Christian Pulisic (3) – Had two chances in normal time but mis-hit them both.
Hakim Ziyech (3) – Created very little when brought on.
Saul Niguez (2) – Offered very little when brought on. A poor sub by Tuchel.
Jorginho (3) – Dragged a shot wide in the dying moments when he should have at least tested the keeper.
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