Chelsea advanced to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League after defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the second leg of their last 16 tie.
UEFA Champions League
Result: Chelsea 2-0 Borussia Dortmund (2-1 on aggregate)
Date: 07 March 2023
Venue: Stamford Bridge
The Blues were boosted by the return of Reece James and Marc Cucurella following the win over Leeds United over the weekend, as Kai Havertz continued to lead the frontline.
Dortmund were forced into a substitution five minutes into the encounter, as Julian Brandt was forced off with an apparent thigh injury and replaced by Giovanni Reyna.
The hosts carved out the first couple chances inside the opening ten minute as Joao Felix was denied by Dortmund goalkeeper Alexander Meyer, while Kai Havertz fired wide of the mark after being slipped down the right of the box.
Blues goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was called into action before the 20-minute mark, with the Spaniard getting across his line to keep out Marco Reus' free-kick that looked destined for the bottom corner.
The home side went even closer on 28 minutes when Havertz saw his first-time volley crash against the upright before bouncing across the goal and out for a corner.
Chelsea ended the half as the stronger of the two sides and they thought had the opening goal before the break Havertz rifled home, but the goal was ruled out for an offside in the build up.
The Blues did get their reward on 43 minutes when Ben Chilwell's cross found Raheem Sterling, who scuffed his first strike but was able to volley home on the second attempt.
Chelsea came out firing in the second half and were a penalty a few minutes in for handball on Marius Wolf. Havertz missed the initial kick but was ordered to retake for players encroaching in the box, before he converted on the second attempt.
With Dortmund pushing for a goal, Chelsea nearly caught their opponents on the break on 74 minutes when Sterling teed up Conor Gallager to slot into an empty net, however the former was ruled offside in the build up.
The Bundesliga side looked to draw level in the tie on 88 minutes when Jude Bellingham rose above his marker in the box, only for his header to sail over the crossbar.
That proved to be the final opening for the away side as Chelsea held on for the win and secured their spot in the last eight.
Other result:
Benfica thrashed Club Brugge 5-1 on Tuesday evening and booked their spot in the quarter-finals by winning 7-1 on aggregate.
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