Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea
Chelsea have grabbed the initiative in their Champions League semi-final clash with Real Madrid, taking a deserved draw back to Stamford Bridge and with a vital away goal.
The Blues made the perfect start when Christian Pulisic gave them an early lead, but Real Madrid top scorer Karim Benzema fired Los Blancos level before the break. The two teams cancelled each other out in the second half and, while Los Blancos will travel to West London with confidence, Thomas Tuchel will be the happier of the two managers.
Highlights of the game
Timo Werner scored in Chelsea’s crucial 1-0 victory over West Ham on Saturday, and he twice came close to scoring in the very early exchanges.
Mason Mount made a good run down the left and crossed for Pulisic at the far post. He headed back into Werner’s path just six yards out but former Blues’ keeper Thibaut Courtois saved his effort bravely with his feet.
Then, moments later, Werner slid in to meet a cross from Cesar Azpilicueta and was inches away from making the vital touch.
When the opener came on 14 minutes it was no more than Chelsea deserved as they continued to attack their hosts with real purpose. Pulisic latched onto a long ball from Anton Rudiger, then kept his cool to round Courtois and fired past two defenders on the line.
Chelsea had their away goal!
Los Blancos came so close to levelling on 24 minutes and it was a moment of individual brilliance from Karim Benzema, who ran at the Chelsea defence before unleashing a beauty of a shot towards the top corner.
Blues keeper Edouard Mendy was beaten but the ball clipped the post and flew to safety…well worth a look on tonight’s Champions League 2021 highlights.
The Frenchman had given Chelsea a warning, and five minutes later he carried out his threat with another must-see moment. Marcelo crossed, Casemiro flicked on and Benzema swung round brilliantly to fire past Mendy to level at 1-1.
Chelsea started the second half brightly and Raphael Varane had to be alert to make a block on Werner as the German looked set to score. But with the match perfectly balanced Los Blancos too were on the hunt, but Benzema lashed his shot wide after good work from Vinicius.
As the second half evolved both teams began to sit back and let the opposition play with the ball in non-threatening areas and, with 20 minutes to go, the coaches rang the changes.
Zinedine Zidane brought on former Chelsea man Eden Hazard, while Thomas Tuchel threw on Hakim Ziyech who made an immediate impact, stretching the Madrid defence and sending in two dangerous crosses which Courtois claimed.
For Los Blancos, Benzema was a constant thorn in Chelsea’s side and Reece James did well to block his volley, but that was a close as either side came in the closing minutes.
Key statistics
Here at SBOTOP we offered 1.70 on Real Madrid to qualify for the final with Chelsea at 2.19, but the away goal gives the Blues the edge.
It was a tight affair with two goals created by individual moments of class but Los Blancos only had one shot on target all night to Chelsea’s five.
This was a big result for Chelsea against a Real Madrid side which has won nine of its last 10 knockout legs a home.
Mason Mount made his 100th appearance for the Blues in all competitions and, still only 22 years of age, he has a great future at Stamford Bridge.
What’s next?
The winners of this tie will play either Manchester City or PSG in the final; the latest Champions League 2021 betting odds back Pep Guardiola’s Sky Blues to lift the trophy, but each and every one of the semi-finalists is capable of going all the way.
Paris are the hosts for the first leg tomorrow and they will be full of confidence having already dumped Barcelona and FC Bayern out of the tournament.
Back to domestic football and Real have a home match against Osasuna at the weekend. It’s a must-win game after a draw with Real Betis last weekend left Los Blancos in a difficult position in La Liga, behind Atletico and level with Barca, having played a game more than the Catalans.
In the Premier League, Chelsea jumped three points clear of fifth-placed West Ham last week, and they have a great chance to cement their top-four position when they face Fulham in the West London derby. The Cottagers are in serious peril, seven points from safety and with just five games to play, time is fast running out.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
