Football News

Player ratings: Chelsea heroes come up just short as Champions League holders sent packing by Real Madrid in game of the season

Holders Chelsea crashed out of the Champions League despite a valiant 3-2 win at Real Madrid in the second leg of their semi-final at the Bernabeu, losing 5-4 on aggregate after extra-time.

A stunning contest looked like it was going Chelsea’s way when they went 3-0 up on the night thanks to goals from Mason Mount, Antonio Rudiger and Timo Werner. However, Rodrygo and Karim Benzema strikes sent the serial Champions League winners through to the last four.

Mount drove the visitors into a 1-0 lead just 14 minutes into the clash in Madrid. The England forward’s classy volleyed effort left Chelsea trailing 3-2 on aggregate, providing the perfect launchpad for the Blues to battle back into proceedings.

Chelsea levelled the tie on aggregate at the start of the second period with a thumping header from a corner from Antonio Rudiger. The Germany star shrugged off his marker to power the ball home for his first-ever European goal.

Marcos Alonso looked like he had given the Blues the lead on aggregate with a thunderous finish only for VAR to ruled it out for a harsh handball.

Real then came close to restoring their advantage through the otherwise quiet Karim Benzema, who thumped a header against the bar.

But Chelsea’s dominance on the night was rewarded with 15 minutes to go through Werner. The German worked some space in the area before his drive deflected off the outstretched hand of Thibaut Courtois and bounced into the far corner.

Real subs make the difference

However, the tie was level on the night again with 10 minutes to go when a brilliant Luka Modric cross was volleyed home by substitute Rodrygo.

38 goals this season
83 in the #UCL
317 for Real Madrid

Karim Benzema, a footballing marvel ?

He has put #RMCF ahead on aggregate against #CFC with what could prove to be one of the most important goals of his career

@btsportfootball pic.twitter.com/NWfH1yeQsG

— The Athletic UK (@TheAthleticUK) April 12, 2022

Chelsea twice went close to winning the tie in stoppage-time, with substitute Christian Pulisic the culprit when he should have done better, and the game went to extra-time.

Real did not take long to make it 5-4 on aggregate when Vinicius’ cross was met by an unmarked Benzema in the area, who powered home with his head for his 38th goal of a remarkable season.

Kai Havertz and Jorginho both squandered chances to draw Chelsea level late in extra-time as Real eventually snuck through in an astonishing contest in Madrid.

Chelsea (4-3-2-1)

Edouard Mendy: Had nothing of note to do until the 56th minute when he kept out a Toni Kroos free-kick. Produced a smart stop to deny Modric but could nothing about Rodrygo’s leveller on aggregate or Benzema’s header. 7/10

Reece James: Had his hands full with Vinicius Junior but coped well despite picking up an early booking. Got a vital touch to deny Benzema a clear strike at goal in the second-half. Began to run out of legs the longer the game went on. 8

Thiago Silva: Kept the in-form Karim Benzema very quiet in the first half before the Frenchman woke up in the second and powered a header against the bar and then put Real in front in the tie. Otherwise excellent. 8

Rudiger shows his class

Antonio Rudiger: Solid as a rock and powered home Chelsea’s second goal of the night from a corner. Clearly wanted it more than the Real Madrid defenders in typical Rudiger fashion. His unfortunate slip allowed Benzema to give Real the lead on aggregate. 8

CHELSEA ARE LEVEL!

Another great header in a tie full of great headers!

Antonio Rüdiger powers the ball home from a corner to make it 3-3 on aggregate…#UCL pic.twitter.com/ACRwp5xAIt

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 12, 2022

Marcos Alonso: Gave Chelsea great width on the left. Produced a brilliant finish that looked like it had given Chelsea the lead on aggregate but VAR spotted a harsh handball just before his strike. 7

Rueben Loftus-Cheek: Provided a constant threat down Real’s left and showed great quality in possession. Should have been playing more this season! Taken off for fresh legs in extra-time. 8

N’Golo Kante: Put in a tremendous shift but gave possession away cheaply at times as the game wore on. Taken off in extra-time as Chelsea looked for a leveller in the tie. 7

Mateo Kovacic: Did a brilliant job on international teammate Luka Modric for 75 minutes before the legendary playmaker started to find his feet – and passing range. Subbed in extra-time. 8

Mount gives Chelsea perfect start

Mason Mount: Took his goal brilliantly, keeping calm to volley home after a clever run into the box. Was a constant threat to Real with his clever movement. 8

That’s the perfect start for Chelsea!

A fortunate way through for Mason Mount, but there was nothing fortunate about the finish…

We’re down to a one-goal deficit! #UCL pic.twitter.com/O5uMYZlGTE

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 12, 2022

Timo Werner: His lovely flick played in Mount for Chelsea’s opener. His first touch wasn’t always great but his pace was always a threat and he took his goal well, albeit with the aid of a Courtois hand. Subbed. 7

Kai Havertz: Worked incredibly hard but fluffed his lines with his only chance in the second-half of extra-time, heading wide. Booked. 7

Substitutes:

Christian Pulisic (on for Werner, 83): Missed two great chances in stoppage-time at the end of normal time to send Chelsea through. 5

Hakim Ziyech (on for Kante, 99): Almost drew Chelsea level again on aggregate in the second period of extra-time but his effort was kept out by Courtois. 6

Saul Niguez (on for Loftus-Cheek, 105): N/A.

Jorginho (on for Kovacic, 105): Snatched at a chance to make it 5-5 on aggregate in the final minute of extra-time. 5

The post Player ratings: Chelsea heroes come up just short as Champions League holders sent packing by Real Madrid in game of the season appeared first on TEAMtalk.