In a club of Chelsea FC’s stature, there have been plenty of high-profile matches. Many of them being brought silverware to the club and left a mark in history. However, there were several more matches for one to go back and revisit only to be entertained each and every time.
#10: Chelsea vs Benfica, Europa League final, 2013
Chelsea FC had been knocked out of the group stage, a year after winning it (they remain the only club with this distinction). Manager Roberto Di Matteo was sacked and another Champions League-winning manager, Rafa Benitez was put in charge until the end of the season. Chelsea FC then went on a dream run in Europe’s second most elite competition.
After beating Swiss club Basel in the semi-finals, the Blues were matched up against Benfica, a year after beating them in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Chelsea FC were missing Eden Hazard and John Terry through injuries. After the first half of few opportunities, the Blues took the lead through Fernando Torres in the 60th minute, who had himself been on top form for the entire campaign. Oscar Cardozo equalized for Benfica in the 68th minute and the game looked set to go to extra-time.
However, Ivanovic came up trumps in the final moments of the match as he headed home gloriously from a corner in stoppage time.
Score: Chelsea 2-1 Benfica
Scorers: Torres, Ivanovic ( Chelsea) , Cardozo (Benfica)
Watch Highlights – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4-kCnF7gSU
#9: Chelsea vs Ajax Champions League Group stage, 2019
A month after beating the Dutch club in Amsterdam, it was time to take them on at Stamford Bridge. Within 5 minutes of the game, both clubs had their names on the scoresheet. Tammy Abraham scored in the wrong net, while Christian Pulisic won a penalty on the other end which Jorginho coolly converted.
Ajax scored twice more in the first half through Quincy Promes and another own goal, through Kepa Arrizabalaga. It was looking further downhill for Chelsea FC when Van De Beek scored against the run of play early in the second half.
Chelsea FC were putting relentless pressure on the Ajax backline and it came good in the 63rd minute when Azpilicueta scored from close range. the 70th minute of the game was perhaps the most controversial moment of the 2019-20 Champions League as both of Ajax’s center-backs were shown the red card. Blind was shown the second yellow for a rash tackle in the build-up to a shot that hit Veltman’s hand. Veltman was also shown a second yellow and Jorginho converted his second penalty of the match.
Stamford Bridge was absolutely buzzing as Chelsea FC were now more likely to score the next goal. The goal came soon enough as 3 minutes later Reece James scored from 10 yards out following a corner. A late winner for the Blues was canceled out by VAR for handball, ending a truly frantic night.
Score: Chelsea 4-4 Ajax
Scorers: (Jorginho X2, Azpilicueta, Reece James) Chelsea,
(Abraham OG, Promes, Arriabalaga OG, Van De Beek) Ajax
Watch Highlights – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIHMODu2FuY
#8: Chelsea vs Napoli Champions League RO16, 2012
Chelsea FC were declared a club in turmoil after departing with manager Villas-Boas 8 months after his appointment. Napoli came to Stamford Bridge with a 3-1 first-leg lead and looked overwhelmingly favorites.
Napoli started strong and Cech was forced to make 3 smart saves, but the Blues reveled in being under-dogs. Drogba scored around the 30-minute mark from a Ramires cross. The Stamford Bridge crowd were on their feet as the goal revived hopes of a dramatic comeback. It was another header than undid Napoli’s defense. This time it was John Terry who scored from Lampard’s cross.
The celebrations were short-lived as Inler soon scored the crucial away goal for Napoli from a half-volley. Chelsea FC were piling on the pressure and got their reward when Dossana handled the ball in the penalty box. With tensions riding high, Lampard was the coolest man on the pitch. He slotted home to take the game to extra-time.
It was Drogba’s time to provide as his cross from the byline evaded everyone to land at the feet of Ivanovic who thumped it home to complete a dramatic turn-around and one of the best nights of football at the Bridge.
Score: Chelsea 4-1 Napoli
Scorers: (Drogba, Terry, Lampard, Ivanovic) Chelsea
(Inler) Napoli
Watch Highlights – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrE4b-NyAZE
#7: Chelsea vs Arsenal, Europa League final, 2019
After an up and down season under Maurizio Sarri, Chelsea FC reached the Europa League final after beating Frankfurt on penalties. They were set to face close rivals Arsenal on the big European stage. It was a high-stakes game as the winner would get certain bragging rights.
Arsenal’s preparations were all over the news as they had already booked a celebratory tour in London and arrived a week earlier in Azerbaijan to get acclimatized.
Chelsea FC spoiled everything for their near neighbors as they embarrassed them. The first half was dull and both teams were playing cautiously. The second half picked up the tempo of the game and saw 5 goals in total. Former Gunner, Giroud opened the scoring with a diving header from Emerson’s cross.
At the hour mark. Hazard found Pedro inside the box who slotted home to give the Blues some breathing space. Chelsea FC were awarded a penalty five minutes later after a foul on Giroud. Hazard converted it easily giving Chelsea FC a huge 3-0 lead. Iwobi got one back for Arsenal but to no avail. Hazard scored again, latching on to a chipped ball from Giroud. Hazard was named the man of the match in his final match for the Blues as Chelsea FC lifted the trophy for the second time.
Score: Chelsea 4-1 Arsenal
Scorers: (Giroud, Hazard X2, Pedro) Chelsea
(Iwobi) Arsenal
Watch Highlights – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR_cF8MELvw
#6: Chelsea vs Middlesborough, FA Cup final 1997
Chelsea FC were not the trophy-winning machine as they are now. In 1997, the club was on a 26-year trophy drought after lifting the Cup Winner’s Cup in 1971. After failing at the final hurdle in 1994, Chelsea FC reached the FA Cup final yet again in 1997.
This time they faced Middlesborough who had just lost the League Cup final the previous month. 42 seconds into the final, Roberto Di Matteo fired it into the goal from 25 yards out.
The Italian broke the record for the fastest FA Cup final goal which had stood for 42 years. Middlesborough did score late in the first half, but the goal was controversially ruled out for offside. Chelsea FC were in control of the game and scored another one seven minutes from time through Eddie Newton who latched onto Zola’s pass.
Score: Chelsea 2-0 Middlesborough
Scorer: (Di Matteo, Eddie Newton) Chelsea
Watch Highlights – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTukqm1m9xA
#5: Chelsea vs Liverpool, Quarter-final 2009
After a 3-1 win at Anfield, Chelsea FC looked firm favorites to go through to the semi-finals. However, first-half goals from Fabio Aurelio and Xabi Alonso put Liverpool in control of the tie. Chelsea FC fought back in the second half as Drogba’s deft-touch was fumbled in by Pepe Reina and Alex hit a thunderbolt free-kick to make matters level on the night. Frank Lampard slotted home Drogba’s sensational cross to put Chelsea FC in firm control.
The tie looked finished but there was one last sting in the tail. Liverpool scored two goals in succession through Lucas Leiva and Dirk Kuyt. Stamford Bridge was stunned as Liverpool needed a solitary goal to go through.
Lampard calmed down the nerves around West London as he converted Anelka’s pass to make it 4-4 and 7-5 to Chelsea FC on aggregate.
Score: Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool
Scorers: (Drogba, Alex, Lampard X2) Chelsea,
(Aurelio, Alonso, Leiva, Kuyt) Liverpool
Watch Highlights – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSLocVDsnDA
#4: Chelsea vs Barcelona, Champions League RO16, 2005
In Mourinho’s first season, Chelsea FC were paired up with Spanish giants Barcelona in the Round of 16. The first leg at Nou Camp ended 2-1 in favor of the home side, however, Stamford Bridge was waiting.
Players came out of the dressing room absolutely roaring and pumped up to turn around the deficit. Drogba was suspended for the match and Mourinho preferred a 4-4-2 formation to accommodate both Gudjohnsen and Kezman.
The two strikers combined well as Chelsea FC scored an early goal. Gudjohnsen controlled Kezman’s cross and slotted it past Valdes in the Barcelona goal.
Chelsea FC scored two more goals within 20 minutes through Duff and Lampard and raced into a 3-0 lead. However, there was more drama to unfold. Barcelona scored two goals before half-time to gain back control of the tie.
Ronaldinho scored both of them, one from the penalty spot and one from the edge of the penalty box.
In the 75th minute, Terry scored from Duff’s corner and gave Chelsea FC the all-important lead. Valdes’s complaints of being fouled by Carvalho were unheard of.
Chelsea FC managed to hang on to their lead and knock the Spaniards out of the competition.
Score: Chelsea 4-2 Barcelona
Scorers: (Gudjohnsen, Lampard, Duff, Terry) Chelsea
(Ronaldinho X2) Barcelona
Watch Highlights – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLshv_ozOZU
#3: Chelsea vs Bolton, Premier League 2004-05
It was the 99th season of Chelsea FC’s existence as a professional football club and the Blues had won just one league title in the top division on its 50th anniversary. 50 years since the Blues were on the top of the table and looked certain to lift the trophy again. Manager Mourinho had already set a date for his side to be confirmed champions and he had picked the Reebok stadium.
Bolton, however, had other plans. Cech and his defense faced a barrage of Bolton attacks who preferred “attack is the best form of defense” approach. The Blues remained resilient but created very few chances for themselves. Lampard converted fro close range on the hour mark to give Chelsea FC a much-awaited lead. Cech was forced to make a brilliant stop from Geremi but Lampard soon gave the Blues the second as well.
Lampard won Chelsea FC the title on the club’s 100 year anniversary and it’s first in 50 years, meanwhile also strengthening his claim to be the best player in the division.
Score: Chelsea 2-0 Bolton
Scorers: (Lampard X2 ) Chelsea
Watch Highlights – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEtMrrnPXtQ
#2: Chelsea vs Barcelona, Champions League Semi-final 2012
After Chelsea’s season was declared in turmoil, Chelsea FC had overcome Napoli and Benfica in the Champions League and had also qualified for the FA Cup final. Chelsea FC were paired up against Barcelona which seemed to be a growing intense rivalry.
The first leg finished 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in favor of the home side, but, things were far from over as Nou Camp was a fortress under Pep. The second leg started in the worst possible fashion for the Blues as Iniesta and Busquets scored early on. To make matters worse, Chelsea FC were reduced to 10 men as the captain, John Terry was sent off for violent conduct.
The Blues gave up almost all the possession and were trying to hit Barca on the break. Shortly before half-time, Lampard sent Ramires through on goal and the Brazilian audaciously chipped Valdes to give Chelsea FC the control of the tie.
The second half saw Barca pile even more pressure on the Blues but the visitors showed brilliant resistance and hung on to their away-goal advantage. As the match reached its end, Barca had all their outfield players in the Chelsea FC half trying desperately for a late-winner, however, Ashley Cole’s clearance landed at the feet of Torres who raced clear of everyone else, rounded off Valdes and slotted the ball home to send Chelsea FC to the finals.
Score: Chelsea 2-2 Barcelona
Scorers: (Ramires, Torres) Chelsea,
(Iniesta, Busquets) Barcelona
Watch Highlights – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at-2qpk5vEw
#1: Chelsea vs Bayern Munich, Champions League final 2012
After fighting all the odds, Chelsea FC reached the Champions League final where they faced Bayern Munich. The final was also supposed to take place in Munich, which gave the Germans home advantage. The West Londoners were the underdogs yet again as they sought to lift the trophy for the first time.
Club captain John Terry was suspended and it was Frank Lampard who led out the Blues. Chelsea FC were playing on the counter as they hoped to hold Bayern at their home ground.
Cech faced a barrage of shots on his goal but managed to keep everything at bay until the 81st minute. A cross was sent in at the back post where an unmarked Muller was waiting. His header bounced in front of Cech and went in over his head, making it difficult for Cech to predict the bounce.
The Germans were elated as it seemed the end of the road for the Blues, however, Chelsea FC’s man for big moments had other plans. Drogba headed home from a corner in the 88th minute sending the tie to extra-time.
Drogba gave Bayern a chance at redemption as he tripped Ribery in the Chelsea box. Cech saved the resulting penalty from Robben keeping Chelsea FC in the game.
The game was taken into penalties where Chelsea FC had an equal chance at victory. Chelsea FC’s first penalty was saved by Neuer as he perfectly judged Mata’s technique. However, Cech saved the fourth and fifth penalties from Olic and Schweinsteiger respectively which gave Chelsea FC the advantage.
Drogba rolled in the final penalty sending Neuer the wrong way, gifting Chelsea FC their first Champions League title in history.
Score: Chelsea 1-1 Bayern (Chelsea win on penalties)
Scorers: (Drogba) Chelsea, (Muller) Bayern
Watch Highlights – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBP7QQYN1IU
