The Blues became the final entrant into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League courtesy of a 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night and a 3-0 aggregate scoreline ensuring their progress further into the competition.
A first-half strike from Hakim Ziyech after a brilliant link-up play was followed up only in the second-half stoppage time through substitute Emerson for the second and final goal of the night at Stamford Bridge.
MATCH PROCEEDINGS
Carrying an important 1-0 lead from the first leg, it was Thomas Tuchel’s men who enjoyed a lions share of the possession early on in the midweek showdown and looked ready to pounce upon the visitor’s backline.
Chelsea No.1 Mendy had to be called into action a couple of times as Atletico Madrid and a show of resilient defensive display from the Blues, in particular N’Golo Kante, helped keep the Atletico frontline at bay.
Tuchel’s side delivered the initial blow through a superb buildup play between Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech, with the latter being at the end of a well-timed pass played through by Werner and Ziyech calmly slotted it past Jan Oblak to make it 1-0 for the hosts.
Both teams looked raring to go after the half-time break and Oblak had to be at his best to deny Timo Werner from doubling the advantage for Chelsea in the opening minutes since the restart.
Moments of ill-discipline had been witnessed throughout the game from the visitors but Diego Simeone’s side were handed a major spoil when centre-back Savic was shown the marching orders after elbowing Antonio Rudiger.
With only ten men remaining on the pitch for Atletico Madrid, the Blues sought to up the pressure and put the game to bed which was ultimately done through Emerson’s rifling shot finding the back of the net.
13 – @ChelseaFC are unbeaten in their 13 games under Thomas Tuchel in all competitions, the longest ever unbeaten start by a manager for the Blues in the club's history. Methods. #CHEATM pic.twitter.com/uq5EO4GAdB
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 17, 2021
The final whistle marked the end of an eventful two-legged tie and ensured Chelsea’s spot in the last eight of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in seven years.
