Vinicius Junior sends the first warning shot
And – something Chelsea soon had to recognize: Real was absolutely ready to initiate their own offensive actions. The first saw the freezing fans in the 10th minute when Real moved a quick counterattack to Vinicius Junior on the left. He moved inwards in the penalty area, had a clear shot, but only hit the crossbar of the Chelsea goal from eleven meters.
It was a warning shot for Chelsea, who could be lured very far forward when they had possession of the ball and always looked vulnerable to quick counterattacks. Real recognized this and took advantage of it coldly. In the 21st minute, Benzema and Vinicius played a simple one-two that Vinicius went through to the left. The well-started Benzema converted his flank with a powerful header from 13 meters into the left corner – 0:1.
Double strike by “King Karim”
“King Karim”, who had almost alone beat Paris St. Germain in the round of 16 second leg, was back to normal. And the Frenchman only needed three more minutes to make it 2-0: This time Luka Modric crossed from the right halffield and Benzema put a wonderful header into the right corner against the direction of Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy.
Chelsea was shocked. Caught cold. The displeasure of the coach Thomas Tuchel, who was now hidden deep behind a hood and a thick scarf, could only be guessed at. But Chelsea recovered. And sent a sign of life before changing sides. This too was done with a header: in the 40th minute, Jorginho crossed softly to Havertz, who nodded past Thibaut Courtois to make it 2-1.
Cold shower for Chelsea after the change
Chelsea were back in the game, the spectators woke up too. But they had to deal with the next low blow right at the beginning of the second period: keeper Mendy allowed himself a horrible bad pass in the direction of Antonio Rüdiger in the 46th minute. Benzema intervened and had no trouble inserting the ball from 20 yards into the empty Chelsea goal to make it 3-1.
The game developed into an increasingly interesting battle between the attacking English and experienced defending Real players. Chances were there for Chelsea: In the 69th minute, Romelu Lukaku, who had just come on as a substitute, should have scored the goal, but headed in completely free from six meters to the right of the goal.
Heavy luggage for Chelsea
And in stoppage time, Hakim Ziyech, who was also a substitute, aimed just wide of the Real goal from 13 meters to the left.
That remained the best chance for the Londoners, who will therefore have heavy luggage with them when the second leg kicks off in Madrid next Tuesday.