The Champions League quarter-finals continue tonight with a huge first-leg heavyweight showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu as familiar foes Real Madrid and Chelsea go head to head for the third successive season. Last year’s tie was packed full of incredible drama, with the Blues winning in Spain and almost pulling off an epic comeback after Karim Benzema’s hat-trick at Stamford Bridge, only for the Ballon d’Or winner to strike again in extra-time.
Chelsea head back to Madrid at an extremely low ebb after yet another defeat at the hands of Wolves in Frank Lampard’s first match back as interim boss following the sacking of Graham Potter. Sitting 11th in the Premier League and 17 points adrift of the top four, they need to win the Champions League to return to Europe’s elite club competition next term and make three changes here as Ben Chilwell, N’Golo Kante and Thiago Silva come in.
But they face a huge challenge against a Real side hoping to lift their 15th European title and sixth in 10 seasons, with Carlo Ancelotti’s men well behind Barcelona in LaLiga after losing to Villarreal. Follow Real Madrid vs Chelsea live below, with expert analysis from Nizaar Kinsella at the Bernabeu!
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GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Chelsea | Karim Benzema 21′
21 mins: Who else?
Vinicius beats Fofana to Carvajal’s clipped cross, with Kepa making an initial save.
But the ball falls right into the path of Benzema, who taps home from close range into an empty net.
His 90th Champions League goal and 26th of the season across all competitions.
Trouble for Chelsea now.
18 mins: Chelsea are under the cosh a bit now with Kante doing well to track back and help the booked Fofana to deal with the considerable threat of Vinicius.
Madrid are absolutely dominating possession as you might expect, though they haven’t done too much with it so far, looking to release their skilful and fast Brazilian duo either side of Benzema.
Not much pressing from Chelsea, who are content to sit back and let their opponents monopolise the ball before trying to hit on the counter.
Mostly solid in defence so far from Lampard’s men.
17 mins: Valverde slices high and wide after Fernandez had given the ball away for Chelsea in a dangerous area.
Moments before, Vinicius had gone down in the box after an arm across the midriff from Fofana.
Never a penalty and the referee isn’t interested.
Nizaar Kinsella at the Bernabeu
N’Golo Kante is justifying his selection, unsurprisingly. He has caused Real Madrid serious problems through his bursts through midfield.
14 mins: Madrid are sustaining their pressure now and force a corner that Chelsea scramble clear.
Some positive goalkeeping from Kepa follows to pluck the ball out of the air and take the sting out of the latest attack.
Silva then looks to release Felix quickly, but it’s overhit and the run was too early.
12 mins: Real Madrid suddenly up the tempo and Benzema’s initial strike is blocked by Silva.
Los Blancos come again and a great one-two between Benzema and Vinicius inside the box results in the former leaving Silva trailing in his wake before forcing Kepa into a solid save at his front post.
A good hold from the Chelsea ‘keeper.
10 mins: Chelsea have made a decent start to this game, it must be said.
They piece together another nifty passing move before a ball to the back post sees Sterling rise with and ultimately foul Militao.
Nizaar Kinsella at the Bernabeu
Wesley Fofana and Eduardo Camavinga both have to play the majority of this match on a yellow card.
They are both vulnerable with Vinicius Jr running at one and Raheem Sterling at the other.
8 mins: French referee François Letexier is not afraid to get the cards out early on here as another Chelsea break is cut short by a cynical foul from Camavinga on Sterling. Yellow.
Chilwell then flights a disappointing left-footed free-kick over the crossbar.
That was a real waste.
6 mins: But that’s a concern for Chelsea as Fofana brings down a speeding Vinicius Jr and receives a yellow card.
A long time now for the Frenchman to last on a yellow up against such a dangerous attacker in Vinicius.
