CHRISTIAN PULISIC was the Chelsea hero as Thomas Tuchel’s side held Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
Although the American’s first half strike was cancelled out by Karim Benzema, the Premier League side hold the advantage ahead of the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
- Final score: Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea
- Goalscorers: Benzema 29′; Pulisic 14′
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THAT’S ALL, FOLKS
For tonight, at least.
It’s half-time in the tie, and there’s everything to play for with Real Madrid and Chelsea locked on one goal apiece.
The Premier League side were the better team this evening, and will certainly fancy their chances back on home soil, but if there’s one team and one person that you can never write off in the Champions League, it’s Real and Zinedine Zidane.
Relive tonight’s action before bed with Dave Kidd’s match report, hot off the press from the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano,
We’ll be back to do it all again next Wednesday. Expect more of the same but hopefully with less rain.
KING KANTE
N’Golo Kante once again put in a masterful shift on the Champions League stage.
As much of a presence in possession as he was when protecting is defence, there is no player in the world as good at doing what he does.
Not even Casemiro.
WASTEFUL WERNER
Timo Werner was the man on the mark at the weekend, but returned to his profligate self this evening.
The striker passed up a glorious opportunity early on when firing at Thibaut Courtois from close range, then failed to connect with a header later in the first half.
TUCHEL REACTION
Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel has admitted that he was disappointed his side came in at half-time on level terms after such an impressive opening 45 minutes, but believes his players can get the job done with some rest ahead of the second leg.
We started the game very well with a lot of courage and a lot of quality. We deserved to win the first half and had a lot of chances. Unfortunately, they scored from a set-piece but there was nothing else for us to defend so it was disappointing [to be level] at half-time. It was important to stay calm and not lose confidence. The second half was very tactical. The speed and intensity dropped, and you could tell we were tired after two away games with only a two-day break.
Thomas Tuchel
RAMOS READY FOR RETURN
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos was forced to watch on this evening, but hopes to be back to face Chelsea in London next week.
Whether on the pitch or in the stand, the centre-back is always a threat at set-pieces.
TUCHEL ON TOP
Another match against Real Madrid for the German manager.
Another match without defeat.
FULL TIME STATS
Real Madrid managed just one shot on target in the first leg of their semi-final with Chelsea – and it produced a goal. Maybe they should try that more often.
FT: REAL MADRID 1-1 CHELSEA
The first leg finishes level following a wet and wild night in Spain. Christian Pulisic had the Premier League side ahead early in a first half that they dominated, only for Karim Benzema to hit back on the half hour mark against the run of play. There were few chances in the second half, and so the tie is nicely poised for the return game in London next Wednesday.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THE FULL TIME WHISTLE GOES!
REAL MADRID 1-1 CHELSEA
90. Three minutes of stoppage time are signalled, and the home side are going to eat up some of those 180 seconds by making another substitution.
Young Rodrygo comes on for Real goalscorer, Karim Benzema.
REAL MADRID 1-1 CHELSEA
89. Rudiger rampages down the touchline again. Militao is unable to stop him which means Odriozola has little option other than to take on the weight of the German in full flight.
Both players crash to the ground, but it’s the Real substitute that is cautioned as he picks himself up from the pitch.
REAL MADRID 1-1 CHELSEA
88. Kroos’ corner… Varane’s header… just wide!
The delivery was arrowed in beautifully from the left, and Varane’s header on the turn looked destined for the far corner. A Chelsea touch may have helped to take it wide.
In the stands, Sergio Ramos mimics the header his teammate should have made.
REAL MADRID 1-1 CHELSEA
88. Kroos! Wide!
The midfielder unleashes a thumping effort from long range that flicks off Kante and goes behind.
REAL MADRID 1-1 CHELSEA
86. Hazard finally has the opportunity to face up to the Chelsea defence.
He toys with Chilwell, and then plays in Odriozola down the right to cross but the substitute’s delivery is cut out by Rudiger.
REAL MADRID 1-1 CHELSEA
85. Zinedine Zidane’s team have shored up at the back, but they’ve offered little in attack other than the occasional piece of Benzema audacity.
REAL MADRID 1-1 CHELSEA
84. Kante just keeps on going.
The Chelsea midfielder feeds the overlapping James on the right, who’s quick pass into the feet of Ziyech finds the Moroccan in room inside the area. From nowhere, Casemiro gets back to intervene.
Casemiro just keeps on going.
REAL MADRID 1-1 CHELSEA
81. Inside the final ten minutes, have Chelsea settled for a draw to take back to the Bridge? They have the away goal, after all.
REAL MADRID 1-1 CHELSEA
79. Ziyech lifts a curler over the wall, but there’s neither the power or curve to really test the Real goalkeeper.
REAL MADRID 1-1 CHELSEA
78. A poor tackle from Varane brings a yellow card for the centre-back, but more of a concern to the Madrid man is the free-kick he’s conceded just outside of his penalty area.
The saving grace for Varane is that it’s a little wide, and Ziyech is going to have to conjure something special to beat Courtois from here.
REAL MADRID 1-1 CHELSEA
77. A double change for the hosts.
Wayne Bridge lookalike Alvaro Odriozola is on along with Marco Asensio, and off goes Marcelo and Dani Carvajal.
REAL MADRID 1-1 CHELSEA
76. Chelsea bodies on the line as the ball ricochets around their penalty area.
Benzema tries his luck from just inside the box, and then Marcelo does likewise from outside. Both times, a player in blue dives in to block.
REAL MADRID 1-1 CHELSEA
75. From the free-kick sent long into the area, Madrid win themselves a corner.
With quarter of an hour remaining, Real’s only shot on target so far is their equaliser.
REAL MADRID 1-1 CHELSEA
74. It takes three Chelsea players to stop Benzema as he moves on to Casemiro’s pass along the near touchline – and they’re unable to do it fairly with the striker winning a free-kick.
REAL MADRID 1-1 CHELSEA
72. A teasing centre from Ziyech on the left is begging to be pounced upon by a poacher, but Havertz and Mount are too busy floating about in their number ten roles.
REAL MADRID 1-1 CHELSEA
70. A daring run forward from Rudiger is as entertaining as it is ungainly.
The defender gets beyond two opponents and keeps on going, but finds himself bereft of options as he turns to look for a teammate.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
