Champions League: Real Madrid sees off Chelsea in the quarters

• Chelsea hosted Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of the Champions League quarters
• Real Madrid had a two goals advantage having gotten better of the Blues in the first leg last week
• A brace from Brazilian Rodrygo Goes booked a semi-final slot for Real Madrid kicking Chelsea out of the competition

Real Madrid kept their UEFA Champions League title defence alive on Tuesday with a 2-0 win against Chelsea, giving them a 4-0 aggregate victory in the quarter-finals.

Rodrygo’s second-half double helped Los Blancos brush off any Blues comeback attempt at Stamford Bridge, securing their semi-final position.

Frank Lampard’s hosts improved on their performance in the reverse encounter last week at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, their inability to convert chances ultimately allowed Carlo Ancelotti’s team to secure a smooth trip to the last four.

Chelsea made a determined start, coming close 11 minutes in when N’Golo Kante sliced a volley wide.

READ: Real Madrid after three Chelsea players including Mason Mount

However, Madrid did not rest on their laurels, with Rodrygo hitting the post almost midway through the first half after being cleverly sent into the area.

Just after the half-hour mark, Luka Modric tested Kepa Arrizabalaga with a powerful shot, while Thibaut Courtois saved Marc Cucurella from six yards after the Blues player found himself in space.

But their greatest chance came shortly after the restart when Kante’s drive off Conor Gallagher’s header was stopped at close range.

Instead, Madrid made the breakthrough in the 58th minute, with Rodrygo slamming home Vinicius Junior’s square return pass.

Real Madrid players celebrate after Rodrygo Goes scored against Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals second leg at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, April 18 2023. | PHOTO: Eurosport |

His performance took the sting out of the game, and when he added a second in the 80th minute off Federico Valverde’s cut-back, the visitors had an easy ride to the finish line.

Real Madrid remain right on track in the Champions League

With a two-goal lead from the first leg and the possibility of a Chelsea club immersed in domestic trouble, the visitors were expected to advance handily.

Following an intriguing first half, they did it again in clinical fashion, laying down the gauntlet to either Manchester City or Bayern Munich in the last four.

Courtois shines in Stamford Bridge return

The goalkeeper famously departed Chelsea for Real Madrid, where he struggled in his first season in 2018-19.

His talent has only grown in recent years, and with six saves in London, he was critical to snuffing out any Chelsea danger.

Chelsea wasteful upfront once again

Needing to chase a result, it was a lively performance for the first hour from Chelsea, and until Rodrygo’s opener, they had certainly pressed their case.

But from 19 shots and six on target, Chelsea were yet again wasteful in front of goal, as their biggest issue from this season shows no sign of subsiding.