Real Madrid vs. Chelsea : Real Madrid defeated 10-man Chelsea 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu, moving closer to successfully defending their Champions League title.
Karim Benzema scored from close range in the 21st minute after Kepa Arrizabalaga stopped Vinicius Junior’s first shot. Karim Benzema scored four goals throughout the course of the previous season’s encounter with Chelsea at the same level.
Chelsea, who are now in 11th place in the Premier League, frequently posed a threat on the break. Following Benzema’s opening goal, Joao Felix missed a chance, and Thibaut Courtois produced an outstanding reaction save to deny Raheem Sterling.
But shortly before the hour, Ben Chilwell pushed back Rodrygo as the Brazilian winger went through on goal, making the task much more difficult for Frank Lampard’s team. Prior to next week’s rematch in London, the 14-time European champions will be in a dominating position thanks to a goal from substitute Marco Asensio in the 74th minute.
On-loan Joao Felix of Atletico Madrid received a few early opportunities as a result of the hosts’ carelessness with the ball on halfway. Real Madrid vs. Chelsea He was unable to exploit the situation, and Benzema quickly taught him a lesson in being clinical.
Vinicius beat Wesley Fofana to an exquisite pass that Dani Carvajal sent over the top of the Chelsea defense, prodding the ball goalward. Benzema’s 26th and simplest goal of the season was left for him to touch into an empty net.
Chelsea nearly responded soon away as Sterling benefited from a combination of N’Golo Kante and Reece James down the right. Even though he didn’t make a clean contact, Courtois still had to put forth a lot of effort to turn around.
Five minutes had passed since Marc Cucurella replaced the injured Kalidou Koulibaly on the pitch as Rodrygo sprinted up from behind. Chilwell was compelled to accept a last-ditch challenge that put an end to his evening.
Even though they were overly quiet as Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Vinicius produced a short corner for Rodrygo’s substitute Asensio to drill past an unsighted Kepa, Lampard’s team just shipping one more goal marked a form of triumph.
In stoppage time, former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger made a fantastic last-ditch challenge as fellow replacement Mason Mount looked for a smaller deficit on a night filled with familiar faces and reunions.
🫡 Advantage Real Madrid.
⚽️ Karim Benzema
🟥 Ben Chilwell
⚽️ Marco Asensio
👀 The #UCL holders take a two-goal advantage to Stamford Bridge. pic.twitter.com/6H94U6IQE3
— Sporting News Football Club (@sn_footballclub) April 12, 2023Vinicius Junior once more demonstrates his value to Real Madrid
Madrid has an impressive ensemble of Champions League veterans, including the brilliant Benzema and the world-class Kroos and Modric midfield tandem. But the player who scored the game-winning goal in the final the previous year was once more a star.
Real Madrid vs. Chelsea was in a difficult situation from the moment Vinicius forced Wesley Fofana to get a fifth-minute card.
Real Madrid vs. Chelsea In addition to asking James questions that were rarely asked, the Brazillian star gave Fofana a difficult time.
Over the course of the game, Vinicius made 19 touches inside the opponent’s penalty area. The combined total of the other players on the pitch was 23.
Joao Felix identifies Chelsea’s main issue.
Real Madrid vs. Chelsea : has lost five straight games and has gone four games without scoring. Despite claims to the contrary, Madrid appears to have at least one goal more than they require based on previous results.
Real Madrid vs. Chelsea Even in the first 10 minutes, during which Chelsea performed admirably, their aggressive hesitancy was evident. When Joao Felix was practically through on goal but couldn’t get past Eder Militao, Courtois made a straightforward stop.
Real Madrid vs. Chelsea The pointed toes When Kante created another potential turnover, a Portugal international failed to identify Sterling. Sterling got a free kick in a risky crossing position in the eighth minute, which Chilwell wastefully fired over the crossbar. Chelsea’s final output falls well short of what is necessary in every way.
Another victory for the cup maestro Ancelotti with the Asensio masterstroke
The fact that Real Madrid is trailing Barcelona by 13 points in LaLiga indicates that this is only the most recent of many disappointing league seasons in the illustrious career of Carlo Ancelotti. But in knockout football, he still has a deep sense of the moment.
Real Madrid vs. Chelsea Given that Chilwell’s demise had been planned by Rodrygo, Asensio’s entry seemed strange. However, the Spain international adjusted to the game’s speed right away, winning the corner from which he scored and nearly scoring again from a distance. Carlo is aware.
MARCO ASENSIO TWO MINUTES AFTER COMING ON! 💥 pic.twitter.com/qc50JrXNS5
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 12, 2023Highlights from Real Madrid vs. Chelsea in the Champions League as it happened
Real Madrid vs. Chelsea After Chilwell was dismissed, Chelsea shown a great deal of tenacity and perseverance to hold Madrid to a 2-0 victory and maintain their tie going into the second leg at Stamford Bridge. The defending champions may have have two goals too many, though, given Chelsea’s struggles in front of goal this year. It benefits Madrid and Ancelotti. We appreciate your attendance this evening.
MARCO ASENSIO TWO MINUTES AFTER COMING ON! 💥 pic.twitter.com/qc50JrXNS5
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 12, 2023
