- Chelsea defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on aggregate to go to the Champions League quarterfinals
- Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz scored either side of the halftime to overturn BVB’s 1-0 lead from the first leg
- Graham Potter earned the biggest victory of his Chelsea career so far
The Blues defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on aggregate to go to the Champions League quarterfinals, as Graham Potter earned the biggest victory of his Chelsea career so far.
Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz scored either side of the halftime to overturn BVB’s 1-0 lead from the first leg and relieve some of Potter’s strain.
How the game unfolded
Dortmund’s injury list gained a new member just five minutes into the game when Julian Brandt pulled up with a hamstring injury and had to be replaced by Giovanni Reyna. Dortmund already had to manage without the first leg game-winner, Karim Adeyemi
As the first half went on, Dortmund quickly took control of the pace, controlling possession and testing Kepa Arrizabalaga with a well-placed free kick in the 17th minute, which the Spaniard got a firm touch to.
Kepa saves Reus freekick. /Photo by Chelsea FC
The hosts quickly started to have opportunities, but in an age-old story, their luck just wasn’t in, as evidenced by Havertz’s half-volley in the 28th minute, which hit the inside of the post before trickling past the goal line and miraculously missing.
In the 38th minute, the German would then benefit from the woodwork as he scored what Blues fans initially thought was the game’s first goal, but the linesman’s flag was subsequently raised against Sterling.
Joao Felix is denied. Photo by Chelsea FC
In the 40th minute, Joao Felix also saw a close-range attempt saved by Alexander Meyer, a familiar sight for the anxious Blues supporters, whose shouts were evident when Sterling embarrassingly miskicked from Ben Chilwell’s cross three minutes later.
Sterling scores
Sterling shoots into the roof of the net./Photo by Chelsea FC
However, that unfortunate error gave Sterling another chance, and the Englishman kept his composure to score on the second attempt into the roof of the goal to equalize the tie.
Chilwell, who created the opening goal and was clearly having a great time on the Stamford Bridge field, earned his team a penalty four minutes into the second half when his cross struck Marius Wolf’s outstretched hand. A spot kick was then given after an on-field review.
Havertz’s penchant for wasting opportunities appeared to be continuing when he struck the post before Salih Ozcan cleared, but the Turkish international was one of a select group of Dortmund players who had encroached, and a retake was subsequently granted.
Havertz shot at the same corner with the same stumbling run-up, and on his second effort, he made no errors, giving Chelsea a 2-1 advantage overall before the onslaught from Dortmund started.
What next?
Chelsea easily made it through six minutes of extra time to secure their place in the round of eight, and they will now travel to Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday.
Dortmund will renew their battle for the Bundesliga championship on Saturday night against Schalke.
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