Defending champions Real Madrid defeated ten-man Chelsea 2-0 in the opening leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final.
The Blues got off to an impressive start in the Spanish capital with Joao Felix and Raheem Sterling wreaking havoc down both ends.
While the visitors failed to take advantage on their early dominance, Los Blancos made a breakthrough on minute 21 when Kepa Arrizabalaga could only parry Vinicius Junior’s cross as far as Karim Benzema, who converted from close range.
Who else but him ?♂️
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 12, 2023
Karim Benzema’s last 11 goals in the #UCL have come against English clubs:
? X5 Chelsea
? x3 Manchester City
? x3 Liverpool pic.twitter.com/58lCXmTMc2
Five minutes later, the home side came close to adding a second goal, but Silva came back in time to clear Vinicius’ shot off the line following the Brazilian’s mazy run into the box.
The second half began similarly to the first, although Lampard was forced to make a substitution 10 minutes in as Kalidou Koulibaly got an injury and was substituted with Cucurella.
Ben Chilwell’s outside-the-area tackle on Rodrygo just before the hour mark, resulting resulted in a free kick and a red card, ruining Chelsea’s hopes of a comeback.
Lampard replied by bringing on Kai Havertz and Trevoh Chalobah for the final 20 minutes, while Carlo Ancelotti replaced Rodrygo in the Los Blancos attack with Marcos Asensio.
Real’s substitution proved determined, as Asensio increased the lead on 74 minutes by turning Vinicius’ cross with a low finish that passed Wesley Fofana’s legs and into the bottom corner.
The visitors pushed for a late goal to take back to Stamford Bridge, but Los Blancos stayed steadfast in their determination to keep the clean sheet.
