Real Madrid 2-0 Chelsea: Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio put defending champions in control against toothless Blues

Real Madrid beat 10-man Chelsea 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Bernabeu. Frank Lampard's side had a huge chance to take the lead after just three minutes when N'Golo Kante released Joao Felix with a great pass and the Portuguese international burst through on goal before firing an effort at Thibaut Courtois. Ad This chance was a sign of things to come for Chelsea in the first half as they managed to get in behind Real Madrid's defence on the counter on numerous occasions but without punishing the hosts.

Champions LeagueFerdinand: Lampard 'won't get Chelsea job' if he wins CL, Cole disagrees3 HOURS AGO However, they were punished themselves when the home side took the lead after 21 minutes thanks to Karim Benzema. Dani Carvajal clipped a ball over the top for Vinicius Junior who stretched out a leg to meet the ball and his effort was pushed back into play by Kepa Arrizabalaga to Benzema, who was waiting to tap home into an empty net. Just two minutes later Chelsea came close to equalising with their best chance of the half.

Reece James fizzed a ball across for Raheem Sterling who was on hand to divert an effort goalwards but Courtois got down in a flash to pull off a stunning save to protect Real's lead. Chelsea were given a mountain to climb when Ben Chilwell was shown a straight red card for a last-man foul on Rodrygo in the 59th minute. Substitute Marco Asensio made it 2-0 to the defending European champions 15 minutes from time.