Defending champions Real Madrid registered a 2-0 win over ten-man Chelsea in their first of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final.
UEFA Champions League
Result: Real Madrid 2-0 Chelsea
Date: 12 April 2023
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard recalled N'Golo Kante in midfield and Thiago Silva in defence, as Conor Callagher and Marc Cucurella dropped to the bench alongside the returning Mason Mount.
Los Blancos, meanwhile, recalled Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga; Federico Valverde and Eder Militao following the shock loss to Villarreal on Saturday evening.
The Blues got off to a lively start in the Spanish capital, with Joao Felix and Raheem Sterling causing a bit of havoc down the respective flanks.
While the visitors were unable to make their early dominance count, Los Blancos found the breakthrough on 21 minutes when Kepa Arrizabalaga could only parry Vinicius Junior's cross as far Karim Benzema, who finished off from close range.
The home side went close to adding a second goal five minutes later but Silva dropped back in time clear Vinicius' effort off the line after the Brazilian's mazy run into the box.
The second half continued in similar fashion to the first, but Lampard was forced to make a change ten minutes in as Kalidou Koulibaly picked up an injury and was replaced by Cucurella.
Chelsea's hope of getting back into the game were dealt a blow just before the hour mark when Ben Chilwell was shown a straight red card for bringing down Rodrygo, who broke through on goal.
Lampard responded by throwing on Kai Havertz and Trevoh Chalobah for the final 20 minutes, while Carlo Ancelotti introduced Marcos Asensio for Rodrygo in the Los Blancos attack.
It was Real's change who made the difference as Asensio doubled the lead on 74 minutes by turning home Vinicius' cross with a low finish that sailed through Wesley Fofana's legs and into the bottom corner.
The visitors did push for a late goal to take back to Stamford Bridge, but Los Blancos remained resolute to hold on for the clean sheet.
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