Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Sam Hill

Chelsea knocked out of Champions League after quarter-final defeat against Real Madrid

Chelsea have been knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage following a 4-0 aggregate defeat against Real Madrid. Goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio in the first-leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, along with a Rodrygo brace in the second-leg, proved to be enough to see the current holders progress into the semi-finals.

Frank Lampard named a questionable starting XI for the return leg with Mykhailo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic all missing as Chelsea made four changes from the first-leg. Ben Chilwell was suspended for the second-leg at Stamford Bridge after he received a red card during the 2-0 loss in Madrid.

Kalidou Koulibaly was also absent from the side for the return leg after suffering an injury at the Santiago Bernabeu. Lampard's side put in a strong first-half performance against Los Blancos with N'Golo Kante and Marc Cucurella missing golden chances to level the score in the tie, but they didn't take their chances and it proved to be costly as Carlo Ancelotti's side cruised to victory in the second-half.

READ MORE: Kai Havertz set huge challenge to solve Chelsea's 'biggest mystery' as Erling Haaland point made

The west Londoners will now only have the Premier League to focus on until the end of the season as they look to improve upon their current position in the table. Chelsea's inability to convert good chances was their downfall once again with Madrid now progressing into the last-four of the competition.

The Champions League holders will now face either Manchester City or Bayern Munich in the semi-finals. Pep Guardiola's side hold a 3-0 first-leg advantage heading into the second-leg against Bayern in Germany.

As for the Blues, they have just seven games left to play in the Premier League with European football looking unlikely for next season. Lampard was unable to follow in Thomas Tuchel's footsteps from 2021 and bring a third Champions League trophy to Stamford Bridge.

READ NEXT:

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly will love Ryan Reynolds' Wrexham decision amid Gary Lineker reaction

Carlo Ancelotti makes Real Madrid call affecting Chelsea's Julian Nagelsmann manager hunt

Chelsea just got '$60m' confirmation of transfer bargain as Todd Boehly hits double jackpot

Every word Frank Lampard said on Todd Boehly in Chelsea dressing room, Torres and Real Madrid

Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, views and rumours from Stamford Bridge

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.