UCL: Real Madrid Knockout Defending Champions, Chelsea

Chelsea saw their reign as European champions come to a heartbreaking end despite securing victory against Real Madrid in the return leg of their Champions League quarter-finals at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

The classic showdown saw Mason Mount’s give Chelsea a first-half lead, before Antonio Rudiger and Timo Werner increased the deficit to three goals to wipe out Madrid’s 3-1 first-leg advantage, bringing the quarter-final tie to leveled terms, giving the Blues hope of a possible spot in the Semifinals.

However, in a swift turn of events, substitute Rodrygo, gave Madrid a much-needed lifeline in the 80th minute, sending the game into extra time. 

And just as Chelsea were still trying to hold on and see the game through, Karim Benzema, the hat-trick hero in the first leg at Stamford Bridge, dealt Thomas Tuchel’s men a heavy blow as he headed in the decisive goal in the 96th minute to send Real through on a 5-4 aggregate score.