CHELSEA – REAL MADRID FOOT. During the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League this Wednesday, April 6, the people of Madrid took a serious option on qualification in the last four of the competition thanks to a hat-trick from Karim Benzema.
23:30 – The summary of the match
Karim Benzema has put on his hero’s cape again! 90 minutes of high intensity which ended with a victory for Real Madrid over Chelsea thanks to a hat-trick from the Merengue striker. Carlo Ancelotti’s men first took the measure of those of Thomas Tuchel thanks to the providential man of the White House Karim Benzema. The former OL striker once again proved that he was one of the best players in the world and that his technical palette was extremely broad. Two headed goals (21st and 24th) and exceptional activity on the pitch. But the Blues, who we thought were on the verge of chaos, finally managed to stay in the game to revive the suspense just before returning to the locker room. Kai Havertz imitates Karim Benzema and deceives Courtois, there too, with a header (40th). The move to the locker room obviously did not calm the enthusiasm of the two teams and Karim Benzema. The Frenchman was not satisfied and took advantage of Edouard Mendy’s huge error to score another hat-trick (46th), the second in a row after the one that had eliminated PSG in the previous round. After this third goal from the French international, the pace fell slightly because Real managed this advantage. A two-goal advantage also maintained thanks to Thibaut Courtois, author of a big performance on Wednesday. On several occasions the Belgian goalkeeper disgusted the Chelsea Blues and prevented Thomas Tuchel’s men from believing in a comeback. But this confrontation has not yet delivered all its truths. Next Tuesday, April 12, the two teams will meet again and Chelsea will have to give everything to hope to reach the last four and continue to defend their title.
23:07 – Karim Benzema: “A lot can still happen”
Even if this Chelsea – Real Madrid has largely smiled at Karim Benzema and his teammates, the French striker prefers to remain cautious and will be fully satisfied his team qualifies at the end of the return match next Tuesday. “It’s good for confidence but we know that in Champions League matches a lot can happen so we’ll have to stay focused. We saw that against Paris.” The striker of the France team also returned to his hat-trick: “A goal is good. If I can score two or three, it’s better and that’s what I did. I prefer the second in fineness of the head even if the three are important.”
23:02 – Chelsea cracks completely
While the Chelsea Blues showed exceptional strength at home at Stamford Bridge this season, Thomas Tuchel’s players suffered three times from the class of Karim Benzema who scored the first three goals on the lawn of the Londoners in this competition.
22:57 – A record-breaking Benzema
On the occasion of this Chelsea – Real Madrid, Karim Benzema entered a little more in the history of football. He is the first French player to score 11 goals in a Champions League campaign. But this is not the only record broken by the French international. Indeed, the former Lyonnais has become the oldest player in history to reach the bar of ten goals in the Champions League (34 years and 108 days).
22:53 – ⌛ Real Madrid win at Stamford Bridge (1-3)
After this duel, Real Madrid took fewer shots on target (6 against 7 for Chelsea FC) and had less control of the ball than their opponents (47%-53%). However, it is the people of Madrid who finish with the advantage in the score (1-3). Chelsea FC will have to be more realistic to hope for better in the next matches.
22:49 – Ziyech’s strike misses
On an excellent job by Lukaku with his back to goal, the Belgian shifts Hakim Ziyech who takes his chance with a touch of the ball but his shot flirts with the right post of Thibaut Courtois.
22:47 – Five more minutes
Five more minutes will be played in this Chelsea – Real Madrid. The opportunity for the Blues to reduce the gap and restore hope in this double confrontation.
22:43 – Benzema is out!
Karim Benzema comes out in this Chelsea – Real Madrid. The French striker receives a standing ovation from his supporters after scoring a hat-trick. Gareth Bale replaces the Frenchman as Valverde exits and is replaced by Ceballos.
22:41 – Federico Valverde complains of cramps
After yet another duel disputed by the Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde, the latter complains of cramps. Clément Turpin interrupts the game and brings in the trainers, much to the dismay of Thomas Tuchel.
22:41 – Courtois fends off James’ strike
Nice attempt from Reece James who takes his chance in front of Thibaut Courtois’ penalty area. The latter lies down and pushes back the shot from the right piston of the Chelsea Blues who fail to score a second goal.
22:40 – Real in management mode
In the final minutes of Chelsea v Real Madrid, the Spaniards went into management mode to maintain their two-goal lead before meeting the Londoners next Tuesday for the second leg.
22:36 – Havertz’s strike into Courtois’ gloves
Kai Havertz seizes the ball, manages to turn around and takes his chance with a flat foot a little too axial to endanger Thibaut Courtois. There are about ten minutes left in this Chelsea – Real Madrid.
22:35 – Madrid supporters room
As the Merengues pass each other, Real Madrid supporters drop “Olé” to confuse Chelsea and their supporters.
22:33 – Fifteen minutes left
We entered the last quarter of an hour of this Chelsea – Real Madrid. The hat-trick of Karim Benzema allows, for the moment, Real to take a serious option on a qualification in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
22:32 – Carvajal stays down
After an elbow in the ribs from Azpilicueta, Dani Carvajal took a good minute to get up.
22:31 – Eduardo Camavinga enters
Another Frenchman appears on the lawn of Stamford Bridge in this Chelsea – Real Madrid. Former Rennais Eduardo Camavinga enters the midfield in place of Toni Kroos.
22:29 – Another risk-taking for Mendy
Edouard Mendy takes a new risk in the revival in this Chelsea – Real Madrid. The Senegalese goalkeeper made a big mistake earlier in the game. She had allowed Benzema to score a hat-trick.
22:27 – What a roll of Mount
The opportunities follow one another for the Blues! Mason Mount takes his chance with a touch of the ball about twenty meters from Courtois’ cages. The ball lands on the net of the Belgian goalkeeper of Real Madrid.
22:26 – What an opportunity!
Lukaku again! This time his head escaped the frame for a few centimeters while he was alone in Thibaut Courtois’ penalty area. It was an opportunity for the Londoners to relaunch in this Chelsea – Real Madrid.
22:25 – First action for Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku is, for the first time of this Chelsea – Real Madrid, alerted in the penalty area by Reece James. The former Inter Milan player places his header but it is totally out of frame.
22:23 – Impressive Real Madrid possession streak
Real Madrid unfolds with an exceptional sequence of play punctuated by several passes in one touch of the ball.
22:19 – Changes are being made
It’s time for changes in this Chelsea – Real Madrid. Christian Pulisic and Jorginho leave and are replaced by Romelu Lukaku and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. On the Merengue side, Eder Militao is forced out following his knee problem. It is Nacho who returns to his place.
22:17 – Militao still on the ground
Eder Militao is still down and this time seems to be complaining about his knee after a duel with Kai Havertz. The Real Madrid defender is struggling to get up.