Chelsea 0-2 Real Madrid: Rodrygo scores double as defending champions ease into semi-finals

Rodrygo was at the double as Real Madrid booked their spot in the Champions League semi finals with a smash and grab 2-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Carlo Ancelotti’s holders were far from their best but made the hosts pay for their failure to take a raft of good opportunities when Rodrygo fired in from close-range just shy of the hour and then again 10 minutes from time as the visitors claimed a 4-0 success on aggregate. Ad Chelsea played with a real intensity in a first-half performance that belied their Premier League woes and they should have taken an early lead when N’Golo Kante skewed a gilt-edged chance wide on 11 minutes.

Champions LeagueOwen blasts 'toothless' Chelsea for splashing cash but not signing strikerAN HOUR AGO Real relied on occasional counter attacks with Rodrygo hitting the outside of the post from a narrow angle and Vinicius Jr horribly miscuing a volley from Luka Modric’s inviting, low cross. Marc Cucurella then blew the biggest opportunity in first-half stoppage time when he was left completely free at the far post but fired too close to Thibaut Courtois, who made a brilliant reaction save. Kante went close again after the restart but Real finally showed the home team how to finish as Rodrygo lashed in Vinicius Jr’s composed pass.

Chelsea and their supporters were clearly deflated following the sucker punch and Rodrygo made sure of the holders’ progress when tapped in following wonderful work by Federico Valverde. Los Blancos will now face Manchester City or Bayern Munich in a blockbuster semi-final in May. Chelsea are next in action a week on Wednesday at home to Brentford in the Premier League.