Chelsea surely walk away the happier side from Tuesday night’s meeting at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium with Thomas Tuchel’s side earning a well-deserved 1-1 draw against hosts Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.
Christian Pulisic drew first blood for his side before it came down to Karim Benzema’s exquisite strike to level the scoreline ahead of next week’s reverse fixture in west London.
MATCH PROCEEDINGS
The Blues started well and looked to threaten early against an injury-curtailed Madrid backline which was missing the colossal figure of skipper Sergio Ramos and Ferland Mendy.
Christian Pulisic then worked a moment of brilliance as the in-form American international rounded Thibaut Courtois and gave Chelsea the lead inside the opening 15 minutes of the game.
Both sides looked to make the most of their possession which their way in the minutes following Pulisic’s opener as the visitors sought to fortify their defensive line to protect a much-coveted lead away from home turf.
However, Real Madrid talisman Karim Benzema had other plans with the France international, always a threat in European football, controlling the ball with his chest in the box before delivering a thumping volley to find the back of the net just a minute prior to the half-hour mark.
The game that unfolded following the half-time break was devoid of any serious action on either end of the pitch and Tuchel’s bringing on attacking reinforcements off the bench failed to bear any fruits.
Hakim Ziyech, one of the substitutes, tested Thibaut Courtois with a well-struck free-kick but his effort was denied by the former Chelsea goalie as the game’s enthusiasm soon fizzled out to finish in a stalemate.
