Lille 1-2 Chelsea (1-4 agg): Blues move into Champions League quarter-finals

Chelsea maintained their hopes of retaining the Champions League as they beat Lille at a lively Stade Pierre-Mauroy to secure a 4-1 aggregate win and reach the quarter-finals.

The Blues took a 2-0 first-leg lead to France but, in a match played amid continued uncertainty over the club's future, they had to come from behind after a slow start to earn success in the return.

Burak Yilmaz pulled Lille back into the tie with a penalty after Jorginho handled, only for Christian Pulisic to reply in first-half injury time.

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta then put the last-16 encounter beyond the French champions when he finished at the back post with 19 minutes remaining.

Thomas Tuchel's side will find out their last-eight opponents in Friday's draw.

It was something of a passive performance from the Blues as Lille harried and pressed with intent, though the Premier League outfit were able to maintain control and show their quality when needed.

Developments regarding the club's ownership continued to play out during the game as it was announced Lord Coe has joined a consortium led by ex-Liverpool chairman Sir Martin Broughton to buy the club, while former Chelsea striker Gianluca Vialli said he is working with Nick Candy on his bid.

Earlier the Ricketts family, who own Major League Baseball team the Chicago Cubs, confirmed they are leading a group of investors which will make an offer by Friday's deadline.

Whether those off-field matters were a distraction or not, it was Lille who got a deserved 38th-minute opener following a bright start in which they made life uncomfortable for Chelsea.

Yilmaz placed his spot-kick in the top corner after Jorginho handled, with referee Davide Massa awarding the penalty after being told to view the