Three of the most memorable penalty shoot-outs involving Chelsea FC

Posted on July 18, 2020

Penalty shoot-outs resemble the pinnacle of excitement and drama in the game of football. After 120 mins of football, when neither team have been able to get the better of the other, we go into penalties where the underdog has as much of a chance as the favourite. Chelsea FC have had a relatively low success rate in penalties, with their win percentage standing at just 33% over the course of the club’s history.

Let’s check out the three most memorable wins for Chelsea FC in the penalty shoot-out.

#1: Bayern Munich FC vs Chelsea FC – Champions League final 11/12

There were definitely no points for guessing this. Chelsea FC’s 2011-12 season was topsy turvy, as Chelsea FC struggled a lot in the early parts. In March, the Blues were out of the top four in the Premier League standings and were on the brink of exiting the Champions League. Andres Villas-Boas was then sacked and Chelsea’s fortunes took a U-turn.

Roberto Di Matteo took over until the end of the season and looked to steady the ship. Chelsea FC made a mesmerizing comeback in the second leg of the Round of 16 tie against Napoli. Winning 4-1 against a strong Napoli side was no mean feat. and it sparked a feeling amongst the fans that anything was possible now.

Victories over Benfica and Barcelona in the same month, took Chelsea FC to the finals of the prestigious Champions League, a trophy that the Blues fans craved deeply.

The stakes were incredibly high and Chelsea FC were the underdogs in every regard. Missing key players and playing at Bayern’s home made this victory even sweeter.

After repelling everything that Bayern threw at the Blues, there was finally a crack in Chelsea FC’s wall as Muller scored in the 82nd minute to give the Bavarians the lead. It looked as if everything was over but Chelsea FC’s man for the big occasion had other plans. Drogba headed home brilliantly from Juan Mata’s corner in the 88th minute to equalize and put Chelsea FC back on level terms.

It was now looking Chelsea FC’s night as Petr Cech even managed to keep out Robben’s penalty in extra-time.

The penalty shootout started in despair as Mata missed the very first one.

Bayern scored their first three through Lahm, Gomez and Neuer.

Chelsea FC were trailing 3-2 with 2 penalties left for each side. Next in line was Petr Cech’s international teammate Ivica Olic. The pressure was too much for the winger as Cech managed to revive the Blues from the dead.

Ashley Cole stepped up and put in his penalty into the side netting giving Neuer no chance. Chelsea FC were now level with the Bavarians.

We had already entered sudden-death.

Schweinsteiger was next and Cech came up trumps yet again. His fingertips managed to push the midfielder’s penalty onto the post sending Chelsea FC fans into ecstasy.

Drogba was the fifth penalty taker for Chelsea FC and he had the opportunity to gift Chelsea FC the Champions League in what was supposed to be his final kick for the Blues.

Four years ago Drogba was sent off in extra-time due to which he failed to take the penalty against Manchester United but the scenario was exactly the same here.

Drogba made no mistake as he sent Neuer the wrong way and won Chelsea FC the coveted trophy.

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBP7QQYN1IU

#2: Chelsea FC vs Eintracht Frankfurt FC – Europa League Semi-final 18/19

After a very strong first half of the season under new manager Maurizio Sarri, things turned around very quickly. Chelsea FC’s approach to every game was exactly the same and opposing teams had figured it out by then.

Chelsea FC’s strong first half managed to keep them in the top 4 but the Blues were stumbling in pretty much every match.

Despite the struggles in domestic competitions, Chelsea FC were cruising through in the Europa League.

Chelsea FC were paired up against Eintracht Frankfurt who were considered very lethal and strong in knockout competitions. Frankfurt were also riding high on the form of their strikers, Jovic and Haller.

Chelsea FC couldn’t return with a win from Germany but gained a vital away goal in a 1-1 draw. The tie was still in Chelsea FC’s favour as the second leg was at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea FC started the game in top form as they managed to pin Frankfurt in their own half and also got a goal to show for it. The second half was a different story. Frankfurt came out of the tunnel with nothing to lose and struck within five minutes. Jovic was the scorer and the Germans were right back in it. Both teams had their opportunities to win it in extra-time but some last-ditch defending by both sides kept the other one out.

The game finally went to penalties. Chelsea FC had very recently lost to Manchester City on penalties in the EFL Cup final so it must have been difficult for the players.

Both teams scored their first penalty, the Blues through Barkley and Frankfurt through Haller. The ever-reliable Cesar Azpilicueta, who was also Chelsea FC’s captain on the night had his penalty saved by former PSG keeper Kevin Trapp. Jovic and De Guzman scored the next two penalties for Frankfurt putting them 3-2 up. The centre-back for Frankfurt, Hinteregger was next and it was crucial for Kepa to save this, and so he did. Hinteregger blasted the ball towards Kepa but the Spaniard stood firm and managed to trap the ball between his legs. Chelsea FC were now level with Frankfurt with an equal number of penalties taken.

Paciencia took the next penalty for Frankfurt as the game had already gone to sudden death. Much to the delight of the home fans, Kepa saved this one as well giving Hazard the chance to put Chelsea FC through to their fourth European final in just over a decade. There was no doubt as Hazard slotted the ball past Trapp with utmost certainty.

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9AtDA4CmVI

#3: Chelsea vs Tottenham EFL Cup Semi-finals 18/19

Another one from the 18/19 season saw Chelsea FC paired up against their most hated rivals in Tottenham Hotspurs FC in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup. Chelsea made their way to the semi-finals by beating Liverpool, Frank Lampard’s Derby and Bournemouth.

The first leg took place at Wembley where a solitary goal by Harry Kane from the penalty spot settled things on the night. Chelsea licked their wounds and went again a fortnight later looking to undo the damage Tottenham had done.

It did not take long as N’ Golo Kante shot through the legs of three players as he scored from the edge of the box in the 28th minute. Hazard doubled the lead soon in the 38th minute with a well-worked goal.

Chelsea FC were in the driver’s seat and since the away goals rule did not apply here, Tottenham would have to score two more goals to gain their advantage back.

A trend that had emerged under Sarri continued here as Chelsea FC conceded a goal early into the second half. The tie was again in balance at 2-2.

With no further goals, things went to penalties.

Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela both scored for the visitors, each being followed by a successful one from the home side. Eric Dier stepped up next and blasted it over the bar. Chelsea FC took advantage of this as Jorginho kept his cool and easily rolled it in, sending Gazzaniga the wrong way. Lucas Moura took the next penalty for the North London side, but Kepa kept this one out as well with a brilliantly timed dive.

David Luiz came in and slotted it home for the Blues without breaking a sweat. Chelsea FC set up a Wembley date for themselves while knocking out their fierce rivals at the same time, a truly precious moment for the Blues camp.

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkFXY4gWaaE