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.

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.

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. Vinicius Jr rolled the ball to the Spaniard on the edge of the box from a corner and he was able to rifle his effort low and hard into the bottom corner.

Chelsea had a big chance in the dying moments when Mason Mount received the ball in the box before firing an effort towards goal but Antonio Rudiger was on hand to slide in and produce an outstanding block.

The return leg at Stamford Bridge takes place on Tuesday, April 18.

TALKING POINT – GAME OVER BUT NOT TIE OVER

Real Madrid take a 2-0 lead to Stamford Bridge next week but this tie is not over by any stretch of the imagination. After Chilwell’s sending off in the second half it would have been easy for Lampard’s side to completely crumble and have the tie put to bed in the Bernabeu, the reality, though, is that Chelsea dug in and at times frustrated Real Madrid.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – VINICIUS JUNIOR (REAL MADRID)

The Brazilian attacker was a menace to Chelsea’s right-hand side all night. It was his effort which forced Kepa into the save for Benzema to tap home and put Los Blancos 1-0 up, and Vinicius was once again involved for the second, laying the ball off for Asensio to rattle home Madrid’s second of the evening. His ability in 1v1 situations is absolutely frightening and at times he went past the excellent James with relative ease. He created four chance and will be disappointed not to have grabbed himself a goal tonight. A joy to watch.

PLAYER RATINGS

Real Madrid: Courtois 7, Carvajal 7, Militao 7, Alaba 7, Camavinga 7, Valverde 7, Kroos 7, Modric 7, Rodrygo 7, Vinicius Junior 8, Benzema 8 Subs: Rudiger 7, Asensio 7, Ceballos N/A, Tchouameni N/A

Chelsea: Arrizabalaga 6, Koulibaly 6, Silva 6, Fofana 6, James 6, Chilwell 5, Kovacic 6, Enzo 7, Kante 7, Sterling 6, Felix 6 Subs: Cucurella 6, Chalobah 6, Gallagher 6, Mount 6, Havertz 6

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

3′ A BIG CHANCE FOR CHELSEA! – Frank Lampard’s side break on the counter through Joao Felix, the Portuguese international does well to fire an effort on target and Courtois tips it behind for a corner.

13′ A BIG SAVE FROM KEPA! – Karim Benzema plays a great give and go with Vinicius Junior, takes the ball past Thiago Silva with ease before thumping an effort on target but Kepa is equal to it.

21′ GOAL – REAL MADRID – Ancelotti’s side take the lead after 21 minutes! Carvajal plays a nice ball over the top to Vinicius who stretches out a leg to connect, Kepa pushes it across to Benzema who is waiting to tap home the easiest goal he will ever score.

23′ WHAT AN INCREDIBLE SAVE! – Reece James fizzes a ball across to Sterling who gets in to poke his effort on target but Courtois is down in a flash to make a stunning save. So close to an equaliser for Chelsea.

50′ JUST OVER FROM MODRIC! – That looked to be 2-0 but it’s just over! Vinicius does brilliantly tog o past Reece James before pulling it back to Benzema who rolls it for Modric who tries to bend it into the top corner but it’s just over.

59′ RED CARD – CHELSEA – Ben Chilwell is shown a straight red card for a last-man foul on Rodrygo. He gave the referee no other option.

74′ GOAL – REAL MADRID – Marco Asensio makes it 2-0! He has only been on the pitch a matter of minutes! Toni kroos plays it into Vinicius Junior who plays it to Asensio on the edge of the box who wraps his foot round his effort and lashes it into the bottom corner.

KEY STAT

Vinicius Junior has completed more dribbles in the UEFA Champions League this season than any other player with 36.