Real Madrid v Chelsea Live Commentary & Result, 12/04/2023, UEFA Champions League

That's all from us, we'll see you soon for the second leg. Until then, bye for now!

A 2-0 first-leg victory means it's advantage Real Madrid at the halfway stage of this Champions League semi-final, and their 18 total shots, including 10 on target, suggest that their approach will not change at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea were under the cosh for most of that game, but having limited Los Blancos to just two goals, they've certainly got a chance of pulling off a comeback of epic proportions. And, it's not as if they haven't done so before - 2012 anyone?

Vinicius Junior's arrowed running and lethal ability to beat defenders raised hairs on necks and bottoms off seats throughout a superb 90-minute performance, with the Brazilian engaging in a game-high 13 duels and winning eight, including four dribbles. He had three shots on goal, with two on target, as well as setting up Asensio's second-half finish with one of his four key passes, and completing five crosses. Madrid's pressing teetered on the verge of being a frenzy at times, and Vinicius more than got involved, winning two tackles and free-kicks apiece, and twice coming up with possession inside the final third. Maverick.

Real Madrid double their first-half advantage to take a healthy 2-0 lead into the second leg at Stamford Bridge. The one-way traffic established in the first period continued apace in the second, with Modric and Benzema both having chances early in the half. Ben Chilwell's red card for blatant foul on Rodrygo complicated matters further for Chelsea, who finally buckled when substitute Marco Asensio fired home Los Blancos' second. Chelsea held on to prevent Asensio and Vinicius from adding further height to the mountain they're tasked with climbing in the second leg, although a two-goal advantage for a Real Madrid side this dominant makes it Los Merengues' tie to lose in west London.

90' + 5' FULL-TIME: REAL MADRID 2-0 CHELSEA.

90' + 3' BLOCKED!!! Cucurella's low cross into the middle deflects into Mount's path. He turns Militao and drives a shot goalwards, but his former team-mate Rudiger slides across in cover to block the effort with Courtois all-but beaten!

90' + 2' OVER!!! Alaba escapes into space to float in a cross from the left, but it's too close to Kepa. He can only push the ball as far as Benzema though, whose rushed header is off-target and sails over the crossbar!

90' We'll play five additional minutes at the Bernabeu, which is still more than enough time for 10-man Chelsea to snatch a consolation goal ahead of the second leg.

89' Tchouameni's cross-field pass wide to Asensio is swung at, and missed, by Chalobah, leaving Cucurella scrambling back on his own to delay the Real goalscorer's next pass as defensive reinforcements arrive.

M. Kovačić

Yellow Card

87' Kovacic is also booked, unsurprisingly being first on the scene to confront Carvajal following his rash challenge on Cucurella.

Dani Carvajal

Yellow Card

87' Carvajal and Cucurella do battle down the far side, and despite winning possession cleanly, the Madrid right-back hesitates, loses the ball, and lashes out, throwing Cucurella to the floor and being shown a yellow card by the referee.

85' BLOCKED!!! Real set off on another rapid-fire counter-attack, and Vinicius puts the fear into all those in blue as he charges clear. He's got options all around him, but chooses to engage Chalobah and sees his eventual shot blocked!

A. Tchouaméni

T. Kroos

84' Modric's withdrawal is soon followed by that of his partner in crime Kroos, and Aurelien Tchouameni replaces the German at the base of Madrid's midfield.

Éder Militão

Yellow Card

83' Mount engages Militao and threads a throughball into the path of an underlapping Cucurella. He's barged over by the Madrid centre-back, and Militao goes into the referee's book.

Dani Ceballos

L. Modrić

81' Modric comes off to one hell of an ovation in Madrid's latest change, and on comes Dani Ceballos to take the Croatian's place in the middle.

80' Chelsea put on a swarm of their own, led by Gallagher, to win possession back deep in their own half and race up the other end of the field, as the substitutes look to prevent any further traffic heading towards Kepa's box.

79' WIDE!!! Asensio cuts inside from the right flank and fires a left-footed shot goalwards, which swerves away from a diving Kepa and smashes into the side netting of the near post!

78' Mount drops deep and looks to win possession back for Chelsea, but clips Carvajal very late indeed and is lucky to avoid a booking, as Real prepare to take yet another attacking free-kick.

77' Modric glides between two defenders before linking up with Benzema to his left. He pulls the ball back to the centre of the box, where Kroos' shot from 20 yards is blocked clear by Chalobah!

M. Mount

Thiago Silva

76' Silva also comes off, as Frank Lampard brings on Mason Mount to add some more attacking threat.

C. Gallagher

N. Kanté

75' Chelsea make another double change, with Kante's pressing, buzzing presence in midfield replaced by that of Conor Gallagher.

Vinícius Júnior

Assist

74' Vinicius once again created ample space in the box, giving him time to pick the pass that Asensio side-footed home.

Marco Asensio

Goal

74' GOOOOOAAALLL!!! Talk about that for impact!!! Real play the corner short and Vinicius squares to the edge of the box, where Asensio arrives to slot a first-time finish into the bottom corner!! The ball slips between Fofana's legs, and beyond Kepa's outstretched gloves, to rustle the back of the net and put Real 2-0 up!! Los Blancos in firm control, and Chelsea's fans will be hoping the floodgates don't open from here.

73' Vinicius drills an early cross into the centre, and Cucurella darts across to put the ball behind for a corner to deny Asensio a shot on goal.

A. Rüdiger

E. Camavinga

71' Antonio Rudiger, a Champions League winner during his time with Chelsea, will also enter the fray, replacing Camavinga and slotting into the centre of defence with Alaba shifting to left-back.

Marco Asensio

Rodrygo

71' Rodrygo leaves the field in Real Madrid's first change, and Marco Asensio will fill in on the right flank for the rest of the game.

70' Havertz and James play a clever one-two down the right, and the Chelsea substitute does well to win a corner off a Militao deflection.

69' CHANCE!! Kovacic has his pocket picked on the edge of his own box, and Rodrygo bursts into the box. Looking to cut inside, he's blocked off by Chalobah, who shields the ball well and allows Kepa to smother it.

67' Real Madrid have won 29 of the 30 Champions League matches in which they've scoring first under Carlo Ancelotti, drawing the only other.

T. Chalobah

João Félix

65' One defender down means defensive reinforcements, and Felix is withdrawn alongside Sterling for Trevoh Chalobah to fill that hole at the back.

K. Havertz

R. Sterling

65' Chelsea make their first changes, with Sterling withdrawn for Kai Havertz in a straight swap up front.

64' WIDE!! Vinicius speeds away from James before cutting inside in the box. Tracked all the way by Fofana, he back-heels to Camavinga, who blasts a left-footed first-time shot wide of the post!

63' Fofana surges forward on the break for Chelsea, but takes too long to release Felix and is tackled off the ball - leaving 10-man Chelsea short at the back as Los Blancos transition at speed.

61' SAVED!!! Following Chilwell's dismissal, it's Alaba who strikes the free-kick, and his low effort bypasses the wall before being well held by an unsighted Kepa!

B. Chilwell

Red Card

59' RED CARD!!!! Chilwell is off, and the job Chelsea's defenders gets all the more difficult! Valverde's clipped pass releases Rodrygo, who darts between Cucurella and Chilwell. The latter pulls Rodrygo back by the shoulder, takes him down on the edge of the box, and is quickly given his marching orders by the referee! Chelsea down to 10, and there was simply no question over what colour that card would be.

58' Forward come Real and Rodrygo has the ball in space. He drives at the defence and passes to Benzema, who is dispossessed as Rodrygo rues not taking the shot on!

57' Madrid's midfield swarms to win possession inside their own half, but Valverde is clipped late by Fernandez and wins Los Blancos a free-kick.

Marc Cucurella

K. Koulibaly

55' Koulibaly's gone down injured, and it's far from good news for Chelsea as their best defender in this game so far leaves the field of play. Marc Cucurella will replace the centre-back, and the fresh legs may just do the trick to prevent the mazy runs of Rodrygo down that side of the pitch.

53' Since 2003-04, only Barcelona, with nine against PSG in March 2021, have had more shots on target in the first half of a Champions League knockout match than Madrid's eight against Chelsea in this game.

52' CHANCE!!! Camavinga's scooped ball into the box is mis-kicked on the volley by Benzema, and Koulibaly nips in to nudge the ball out of his path just in the nick of time!

50' OVER!!! By a whisker!!! Vinicius bursts down the left flank, beating James all ends up on his way before cutting the ball back to Benzema. With no room to shoot on the edge of the box, Benzema tees up Modric, who arrives late to side-foot a curling shot which looks destined for the top corner, but sails just inches beyond the bar!

49' That's some intervention from Koulibaly! Courtois' rushed clearance puts Rodrygo clean through on goal, but Koulibaly makes up the ground brilliantly and makes a well-timed tackle to win possession back!

48' SAVED!!! Chelsea build nicely in the final third and Felix links up with Fernandez on the edge of the box. He gets it back from the Argentine World Cup winner and looks to bend a shot goalwards, but his strike is saved and held by Courtois!

47' A loose ball from Chelsea at the back almost gives Vinicius the run-around on Fofana, but the defender stands tall and Kante arrives to win possession and send Sterling away on the counter-attack.

46' No changes coming for either side at half-time, as Benzema gets proceedings back up and running in the Spanish capital.

The teams head back out onto the Bernabeu pitch ahead of the second half, and with just one goal in it at the break, could Chelsea come out firing to take at least a draw back to Stamford Bridge?

Benzema has been firmly in the thick of it so far, with the Madrid captain opening the scoring on 21 minutes. His three shots on target from four attempts have already amassed 1.14 xG, two of which have come from outside the box. He played in Rodrygo to create one big chance, and he's also won two of his four duels. Pinpoint.

An absorbing first-half comes to an end, and it's advantage Real Madrid so far in the first leg. Both sides have squandered chances aplenty, Chelsea almost taking a second-minute lead through Felix on the break. However, after withstanding the early storm, Los Blancos settled into their usual groove. Benzema and Valverde both went close, with the former tapping in the rebound from Vinicius' flick to open the scoring. Since then, the hosts have looked to press home their advantage, further testing Kepa through Vinicius, Rodrygo, Alaba and Valverde, and despite Sterling doing likewise for Chelsea, the Blues are rather lucky to only be 1-0 down at the break.

45' HALF-TIME: REAL MADRID 1-0 CHELSEA.

44' SAVED!!! A loose Fofana touch is seized upon by Valverde, who has options aplenty as he surges into Chelsea's half. However, he chooses to shoot, and fires a powerful low effort goalwards, straight into the hands of Kepa!

42' Madrid have now scored in each of their last 30 home knockout games in the Champions League, since a 0-2 loss to Barcelona in the 2010-11 semi-final. The Spanish side progressed from seven successive knockout ties in which they played the first leg at home between 2012-13 and 2017-18, but have been eliminated from two of their three such ties since.

40' SAVED!!! A Madrid corner is cleared well by Chelsea, but Modric fizzes another cross into the area. It's flicked on by Alaba at the near post, but Kepa is able to get to the shot and hold the ball for the Blues!

39' Vinicius is put into space and beats James before crossing, but his ball to Benzema in the centre is dealt with by Silva on the volley.

37' Madrid make a break of their own and the front three all play their part. Rodrygo plays Vinicius in the left side of the box, and his cut-back is hit wide by Benzema!

37' Chelsea hit Real on the counter once again as James surges into open pasture. He takes on Camavinga down the right, before stepping inside and having a low ball across the face saved by Courtois!

36' SAVED!!! Real's midfield swarms onto Kovacic, who is trapped and dispossessed. Vinicius comes away with the ball and finds Benzema on the edge of the area, whose low effort rolls into Kepa's gloves!

34' SAVED!!! Chilwell loses possession in midfield and Rodrygo latches onto the ball. He and Benzema play in tandem as they enter the area, exchanging passes before the latter releases Rodrygo to drill a low shot from a tight angle, which is parried by Kepa!

33' Carvajal threads a pass down the right into the box, but Kepa races out of his goal to dive on the loose ball and deny Rodrygo in the process.

31' Some frankly beautiful flowing football from Los Blancos comes to nothing, with balls into the box from Benzema and Camavinga both headed clear by Chelsea's defence, which is starting to regain its composure somewhat after the shell-shock of the opening half hour.

29' Felix turns Kroos 30 yards from goal and strides forward, but his drilled effort from the edge of the area is blocked away by Militao!

28' Koulibaly has advanced high up the field and squares for Sterling on the edge of the box, but Militao's crucial touch diverts the direction of the ball and Los Blancos come away with it.

28' Vinicius almost puts Benzema in behind for Real, but his captain is returning from an offside position and can't connect with the pass.

26' OFF THE LINE!!! A loose ball breaks kindly for Camavinga, who sends Vinicius into acres of space and charging into the box. He passes Fofana with such ease, and dinks the ball over Kepa, with Silva racing back to scoop the ball off the line and back into his goalkeeper's gloves!

25' All of Karim Benzema’s last 11 Champions League goals have come against English clubs, with three apiece against Manchester City and Liverpool, and now FIVE against Chelsea!

23' SAVED!! Chelsea rally straight from kick-off and James whips one hell of a ball into the six-yard box. Sterling shoots first-time at the near post, forcing Courtois into a fantastic reflex to prevent the ball finding the bottom-left corner!

K. Benzema

Goal

21' GOOOOOAAAALLLL!!!! Los Blancos lead at the Bernabeu!! Carvajal has space to chip the ball over the top of Chelsea's defence, with Vinicius racing in behind at speed. He stretches to flick the ball goalwards, and despite Kepa making the save, he can't palm the ball out of Benzema's path and the Madrid skipper taps home! 1-0 to the hosts, and Chelsea's positive start to this match evaporates!

19' Madrid have progressed from nine of their knockout ties against English clubs in the Champions League, including each of the last three in a row against Chelsea and Manchester City in respective quarter and semi-finals in 2021-22, and Liverpool in this season's last 16.

17' OVER!!! Silva's header clear is cut out by Valverde, who steps between two Chelsea defenders and smashes a 20-yard shot which whistles over the top!

16' Real win the ball high up the field and Vinicius is found inside the Chelsea box. He takes on Fofana and goes down clutching his ankle, but there's nowhere near enough contact to be penalty-worthy and we'll play on.

15' Kepa smashes a long kick over the top, but it's a fraction too far ahead of Felix and Courtois collects for the hosts.

14' Los Blancos switch play to the left and Vinicius bears down on goal, taking on Fofana, but the Chelsea defender takes no chances and puts the ball out for a corner.

12' SAVED!! Benzema and Rodrygo link up in the box, and after getting the ball back, the Frenchman glides beyond Silva and smashes a shot into the chest, and gloves, of Kepa!

12' Benzema and Carvajal play a quick one-two on the edge of the box, with the former firing a left-footed shot that Silva blocks for Chelsea.

11' Sterling climbs high to win a header in the Madrid box, but he illegally blocks Militao off to do so and concedes the free-kick.

9' This is the third consecutive season in which these two sides have faced off in the Champions League knockout stages. Chelsea won in the 2020-21 semi-final on their way to a second European crown, while Madrid did likewise in the quarters last season prior to winning their 14th title.

E. Camavinga

Yellow Card

7' Chelsea break quickly once again and Kovacic switches play to Sterling down the right. He plays a one-two before breezing past Camavinga, but is chopped down by Madrid's makeshift left-back right on the edge of the box, with Camavinga by the referee

W. Fofana

Yellow Card

5' Vinicius takes on Fofana and knocks the ball past him into open space. The Frenchman knows he's beaten for pace and sticks out a leg, which takes Vinicius to the ground and results in a very early booking for Fofana.

4' CHANCE!!! The Blues are almost in again! Kante picks Modric's pocket in midfield and races forward with the ball at his feet. He waits too long to release Felix though, and the on-loan Portuguese's eventual pass to Sterling is scythed clear by Militao!

2' SAVED!!! Almost a dream start for Chelsea! A fast break from the Blues allows Kante to send Felix flying through on goal untouched, but he's forced wide by Camavinga and the eventual is parried behind by Courtois!

1' Felix kicks off for the visitors, as Chelsea get things underway at the Bernabeu!

The teams are out on the pitch, and this Champions League quarter-final is just moments away from kick-off!

A Raheem Sterling strike and Kai Havertz penalty either side of half-time turned Chelsea’s round of 16 tie around, and the former starts with the latter on the bench for Frank Lampard’s Blues. Interestingly, Antonio Rudiger, who scored for Chelsea against Real at the Bernabeu in last season’s quarter-final, is on the bench for Los Blancos, having made the switch to Madrid in the summer of 2022.

Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema was the hero in last year’s quarter-final, netting a hat-trick in the first leg before scoring that all-important injury time goal to get Los Blancos over the line. He also scored thrice in the round of 16 against Liverpool, bagging the winner in the second leg after he and Vinicius Junior both recorded braces at Anfield.

CHELSEA SUBS: Edouard Mendy, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Trevoh Chalobah, Mykhailo Mudryk, Mason Mount, Denis Zakaria, Hakim Ziyech, Conor Gallagher, Cesar Azpilicueta, Kai Havertz, Marc Cucurella.

CHELSEA (3-5-2): Kepa Arrizabalaga; Wesley Fofana, Thiago Silva, Kalidou Koulibaly; Reece James, N’Golo Kante, Enzo Fernandez, Mateo Kovacic, Ben Chilwell; Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix.

REAL MADRID SUBS: Andriy Lunin, Luis Lopez, Jesus Vallejo, Nacho, Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio, Alvaro Odriozola, Lucas Vazquez, Aurelien Tchouameni, Dani Ceballos, Antonio Rudiger, Mariano Diaz.

REAL MADRID (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga; Federico Valverde, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric; Rodrygo, Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior.

Chelsea, however, have since sacked manager Graham Potter, with Frank Lampard in temporary charge. The two sides met at this exact stage of last season’s competition, with Real winning the first leg 3-1 and progressing 5-4 on aggregate despite a 2-3 defeat in the second, scoring in extra time to edge the tie back into their favour.

Hosts Madrid stormed into the last eight with a 6-2 aggregate victory over last season’s runners-up Liverpool, scoring five of those goals in a 5-2 drubbing at Anfield. Meanwhile, Chelsea squeezed past Borussia Dortmund, recording a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge in the second leg to progress 2-1.

Hello, and welcome to live coverage of this UEFA Champions League quarter-final, as holders Real Madrid face Chelsea in the first leg at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid v Chelsea Live Commentary, 12/04/2023

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