It was a night of twin shocks at the UEFA Champions League as defending champions Chelsea and the mighty Bayern Munich were dumped out in the quarter-finals of Europe’s premier competition on Tuesday. The eternal brilliance of Luka Modric and Karim Benzema saw Real Madrid prevail and remain in sight of their 14th European Cup.
Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek (left), Timo Werner and Kai Havertz react during their match v Real. Pic/Getty Images
Mayhem in Munich
Simultaneously, in Munich, there were 70,000 at the Allianz Arena, but you could have heard a pin drop among the Bayern Munich fans when Villarreal equalised with two minutes left. At the Santiago Bernabeu, Real coach Carlo Ancelotti was all smiles. “Nobody can say we’re not going to win it,” he said later.
Real Madrid believe because Benzema is more influential now than ever. He already has two hat-tricks and an extra-time winner against Chelsea on the night made it more special. It could also win him the Ballon d’Or. Modric showed against Chelsea, with his mesmerising pass to Rodrygo with the outside of his right foot, how he can still manipulate the biggest nights in Real Madrid’s favour.
Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema after scoring against Chelsea in Madrid
Chelsea’s big early lead
Mason Mount, Antonio Rudiger and Timo Werner put the reigning European champions on the brink of a historic victory at the Bernabeu. But Modric’s moment of magic, settting up Rodrygo, and Benzema’s headed winner, meant the 13-time European champions progressed 5-4 on aggregate after extra-time.
Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze celebrates scoring the equaliser against Bayern Munich
In Munich, Villarreal coach Unai Emery left leaping with joy after Samuel Chukwueze chipped in with two minutes left to snatch a 1-1 second-leg draw and seal a 2-1 aggregate win. Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski had given the hosts a second-half lead. “The semi-finals are always the minimum goal for Bayern Munich, so this is very bitter,” said Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann.
08
No. of times Real Madrid have qualified for the UCL semis in the last 10 years
16
No. of years since Villarreal’s last UCL semi-finals appearance
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