HT: Chelsea 1-2 Real Madrid
A brilliant, breathless half of football.
42 mins: He’s human!
Vinicius break down the left, getting in behind Christensen too easily again, and delivers towards Benzema again.
This time, Jorginho is there first but sliding in he does little more than poke the ball into the Madrid striker’s path. Benzema is onto it, pokes past Mendy, but past the post as well.
Luka Modric has his head in his hands in disbelief.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-2 Real Madrid | Kai Havertz 40′
Well, I did say he was a threat in the air…
This is the kind of cross the German can thrive on, Jorginho on the corner of the box using the angle to clip a terrific ball in behind.
Havertz attacks it, gets plenty of power on his header and Courtois, though he gets a hand to it, can’t keep it out.
38 mins: That’s a chance, though!
Mason Mount’s outswinging corner is met by a stooping Thiago Silva but the centre-back rather lets the ball hit the top of his head and it flies over the bar.
37 mins: A few times since that second goal Chelsea have looked to deliver early into the box. I know Kai Havertz can be a threat in the air, but the Real centre-halves are untroubled every time.
35 mins: There are some cries of Ole! from the away end. We are 35 minutes into a 180 minute tie…
33 mins: This could get ugly, this. Fede Valverde, with a bit of good fortune about a piece of miscontrol, works space for another effort, this time a tame little poke that Mendy just gets down to before Christensen mops up with Vinicius lurking.
James Robson is at Stamford Bridge
Tuchel singled Benzema out for praise ahead of this match – and he’s justified every compliment thrown his way.
Those were two magnificent headers and examples of a master of his art. Chelsea have it all to do to stay in this tie before it’s even 30 minutes old. They are being cut open far too easily. Don’t forget, Vinicius also hit the bar.
29 mins: Thomas Tuchel is absolutely hopping as the rain comes down harder again. After that bright start, his side have created nothing and are on the ropes here.
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