LUKA MODRIC TURNED the tie and Karim Benzema settled it as Real Madrid held off a sensational fightback from Chelsea on Tuesday to win an enthralling Champions League quarter-final 5-4 on aggregate.
Chelsea wiped out Madrid’s 3-1 lead from the first leg in stunning fashion at the Santiago Bernabeu as Mason Mount, Antonio Rudiger and Timo Werner put Europe’s reigning champions on the brink of a incredible victory.
But the 36-year-old Modric intervened with another moment of genius to add to the very best of his glittering career, a sumptuous pass with the outside of his right foot setting up Rodrygo to volley in and sending a nerve-shredding contest into extra time.
After scoring a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge, Benzema then stepped forward to claim the winner, the Frenchman capitalising on a Rudiger slip to head in, a 3-2 defeat enough to see Madrid into the semi-finals.
At the final whistle, Modric and Benzema dropped to the floor, their combined 70 years of age belying another two vintage contributions that have dragged Real Madrid in sight of a 14th European Cup.
They will face either Manchester City or rivals Atletico Madrid in the last four.
After being thrashed by Brentford and then outplayed by Madrid in the first leg last week, Chelsea came in rejuvenated after putting six past Southampton in the Premier League last weekend.
Thomas Tuchel said on Monday they would need a “fantastic script” to pull off this comeback and they certainly delivered that, their only failing an inability to prevent Modric and Benzema doing what they have done so many times before.
Mount’s goal in the 15th minute set the tone, Madrid immediately consumed by tension and Chelsea given early hope.
Mateo Kovacic had been key in the build-up but it was Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s quick pass into Werner that caught Madrid cold, the German steering the ball with his knee into the path of Mount, who advanced and fired past Courtois.
For 20 minutes, Chelsea were dictating, Madrid pegged back. Reece James was doing a fine job restricting Vinicius Junior, blocking Madrid’s escape route.
Benzema, Modric and Toni Kroos tried to wrestle back control but Chelsea’s authority was even more pronounced early in the second half and within minutes they had a second, Rudiger rising high at the back post to head in from a corner.
With their lead gone, Madrid briefly exerted, the crowd coming into the contest. But Chelsea were celebrating a third when Marcos Alonso pivoted round Dani Carvajal’s sliding tackle and slammed into the top corner.
Madrid looked beaten, the stadium dead, but the referee was waiting. VAR spotted Alonso had controlled with his hand and when the decision was reversed, the Bernabeu erupted.
With 28 minutes left, the tie was back in the balance. Madrid had renewed impetus and almost scored, Benzema’s looping header at the back post dropping onto the crossbar.
But it was brief, Chelsea coming again in the 73rd minute as Kovacic slid through Werner, who coolly slalomed past two sliding Madrid defenders and sent a deflected finish dribbling into the corner.
A disappointed Kroos was taken off before a wild contest turned again on the moment of magic from Modric. With the outside of his foot, Modric stroked a 30-yard pass over to the right of the penalty area where Rodrygo, on as a substitute, volleyed in.
Chelsea looked the more likely to nick a late winner and nearly did, Kai Havertz nodding across the six-yard box but Christian Pulisic shot over.
Into extra time and Madrid found another gear, Vinicius finally finding space to tear into. His floated cross might have been easily cleared by Rudiger but the defender slipped, giving Benzema just enough space to guide his header in.
Chelsea, so composed all night, suddenly looked ragged. Eduardo Camavinga fired over. Courtois Cruyff-turned around Havertz.
But they threw everything at Madrid in the final minutes, Courtois saving from Werner before Fede Valverde had to block a shot from Thiago Silva. Edouard Mendy went up for a final corner but it was cleared, Madrid holding on.
Fan of neither team but what a game.
@Dae Monicus: Spot on, stunning game. Great to see an English side dumped out of it all the same!
@Ultan Corcoran: Why’s that? Not being smart genuine question?
@Johnny Mads: Nahh fair to ask. To be honest im just sick of the narrative this “rest of Europe is sub standard” stuff… which it kind of is at the moment, but people forget little to no teams can compete with the English clubs’ wealth. The imbalance isnt the quality, its the financial aspect and its reflected in World Cups/Euros won over the years too (Germany 4/3, Italy 4/2, France 2/2, Spain 1/3 – England 1/0). Not gonna deny it being the best league tho – but because it can afford the best talent. (I know some WC/Euro were won pre-Prem era as well too).
End of the day too idm that much if Liverpool or City win it. Best teams by a mile, just would prefer go it elsewhere or an underdog (longwinded sorry).
@Ultan Corcoran: fair enough points. Chelsea were playing another money giant tonight in Madrid but i know what ya mean in general. Lets all jump on the yellow submarine so eh ;)
@Johnny Mads: Yeah like theres plenty more of them too PSG, Madrid, Barca, Juve.. even Bayern a bit. So it’s nice to see the upsets hahaha.. I’ll admit I’m probably too an*l about it all!
Thats it, Yellow Sub all the way it would be amazing for the underdog story!
Still think its City or Liverpool tho.
@Ultan Corcoran: your answer makes no sense. You don’t mind if Liverpool or City win it? They are both big spenders and are far from underdogs.
@PeterC: Liverpool are not big spenders in the overall scheme of things. Far from it though they are a big club but did it by good business and have a brilliant manager
What a game. Chelsea left that behind them.
@Gareth Keenan: Ye for sure. 3 world class goals from Madrid over the course of the two legs and a goalkeeping howler from Mendy. Very proud of Chelsea. We will be back
Best game ive watched since liverpool beat man utd 5 0.
Cracker of a game! Rare to see both teams leaving everything out there for 120 mins. That high press from Madrid in injury time of ET summed it up. Hard luck Chelsea. Alonso disallowed goal was a shame but probably right call.
@Johnny Mads: The rule is abhorrent. If the hand ball is accidental and unintentional, let the goal stand
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: I do agree with ya in most cases but the touch off his hand tonight controlled the ball perfectly for the volley, even if accidental. I’ve seen worse ones given as frees to be fair.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: not if there’s an advantage gained from it, intentional or not
@Johnny Mads: summed up perfectly Johnny. Brilliant watch.
Never thought id say it but i felt kind of bad for chelsea. Great game. Camavinga was class when he came on.
The teams that play the best football don’t always win football games, look at the fabulous football Man Utd play and they won’t even finish in the top 4 of the premiership
Fantastic game of football. Chelsea deserved to win it though. So many chances not taken.
@Warren kennedy: so they didn’t deserve to win it cause they didn’t take their chances lol
Camera work was shocking – like some spectator was filming it from pitch side – but what a game!!!!!
Great game for the neutrals. Would be sickened to be a Chelsea fan after the chances they missed to steal it in final minutes. What a player Modrick is!
@Gerry McCaughey: don’t know if it’s cause you’re primarily a rugby fan or if it was autocorrect… And I’m not trying to be the spelling police cause I hate that but it can be pronounced (modrick or modrich) but it’s spelt modric.
@John Kelly: with a capital M of curse :)