UCL: Karim Benzema Ends The Blues’ Champions League Dream

Reigning European champions, Chelsea, have been eliminated from the Champions League in the quarter-final stage. The Blues suffered a 5-4 aggregate loss in the hands of Real Madrid to bow out of the continental competition.

Having suffered a 3-1 defeat in the first leg of the tie played at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea had a mountain to climb during their trip to Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night, April 12.

Chelsea comes close to staging miraculous comeback

Despite their elimination, the Premier League giants went down fighting as they nearly staged a dramatic comeback away in Spain.

Thomas Tuchel’s charges put Real Madrid to the sword from the blow of the whistle seeking to cause a major European upset.

The visitors took an early lead after just 15 minutes of action, with Mason Mount scoring the opener as he sent a confident and powerful sidefoot past Thibaut Courtois. The second half of the match saw Chelsea pick from where they left, with Antonio Rudiger doubling the advantage in the 51st minute with a powerful header.

Rudiger’s goal meant the Blues were in need of just one goal to seal progression, an assignment Timo Werner understood too well as he scored his side’s third with 15 minutes left on the clock.

Rodrygo sends match into extra-time

However, the visitors were unable to protect their 3-4 aggregate lead as they allowed Rodrygo to draw one back for Real Madrid to send the match into extra time. The extra-time period of the clash saw Karim Benzema return to torment the Stamford Bridge landlords, with the Frenchman making it 3-2 and 5-4 on aggregate.

Chelsea were unable to find a much-needed goal to force the tie into post-match penalties, with Benzema’s goal sending Real Madrid to the semis.