Just 24 hours on from Manchester City’s superb win over Paris Saint-Germain to book their place in this season’s Champions League final, Chelsea looked to make it an all-English final as they faced Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues opened the clash as slight favourites to emerge from the tie having notched a crucial away goal in Madrid last week, though the main talking point shortly before kick-off was Real’s starting lineup…
? Look who’s back at Stamford Bridge…
?? Eden Hazard was a Chelsea player between 2012 and 2019, scoring 110 goals in 352 games in all competitions ⚽️#UCL pic.twitter.com/6TjdRR1Mrc
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 5, 2021
Eden Hazard has scored more goals for Chelsea (110) than all of Chelsea’s starting 11 tonight (94).
— Richard Jolly (@RichJolly) May 5, 2021
Sergio Ramos starts for Real Madrid tonight, which means we will only see him half as much as last week when he was watching the match in the stands, with Ramos-cam shown every 5 minutes.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) May 5, 2021
⚪️ Real Madrid have a 71% win percentage in the Champions League with Sergio Ramos since the start of the 2018/19 season ?#UCL pic.twitter.com/WojUI1WLf9
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 5, 2021
So, we’ve finally got over the starting XIs, can we all just sit and watch what should be an enthralling contest now?
Oh right, we’re talking kits now, are we?
Real Madrid have got to wear all white or an alternative strip, I feel like I’m watching Chelsea vs Sevilla! ? #UCL #CHERMA
— Harry Symeou (@HarrySymeou) May 5, 2021
Why have Real Madrid turned up in England Rugby’s kit btw
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) May 5, 2021
I don’t think I can really ever recall Real Madrid wearing white shirt and shorts with black socks…
— Scott Saunders (@_scottsaunders) May 5, 2021
Returning players and kit colours out of the way, it was finally time to concentrate on the action, though it was a familiar old topic that soon reared its head.
Different day same old sh*t, Timo.
Timo Werner has the ball in the net but it is ruled out for being offside…
Still goalless at the Bridge! pic.twitter.com/BIxHGhLU74
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 5, 2021
werner when werner when
he’s offside he’s onside pic.twitter.com/wvSYJbdhXj— #KroenkeOut&Ole&KloppIn ? (@MagicMartinpele) May 5, 2021
Timo Werner’s flaws are so…basic. It’s really quite strange #UCL
— Adam Newson (@AdamNewson) May 5, 2021
But then, just when the world looked like turning their back on the misfiring German, a moment of magic arrived!
Alright, it was literally a tap-in from about one yard out, but we’re letting him have this one.
1-0 Timo Werner taps in after Kai Havertz lob hits the bar. He may be frustrating but he scores big goals! #CFC #UCL
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) May 5, 2021
As that ball was dropping to Werner, I can’t deny that I wondered if he’d manage to fall over and miss the header.
He’d never have lived it down.
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) May 5, 2021
Get in Timo! Who said a leopard can’t change its spots, eh?!
Well, maybe some can’t…
Sergio Ramos with a pointless yellow card for throwing Azpi to the floor.
Welcome back Sergio ?
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) May 5, 2021
In an uncertain world there is something rather comforting about Sergio Ramos getting a yellow card.
— John Bennett (@JohnBennettBBC) May 5, 2021
With just 20 minutes remaining the tie was finely poised with the visitors knowing just one goal would take the tie into extra-time.
Chelsea had numerous opportunities to put the game to bed and though they hadn’t taken them, the reason Real were still in the contest was all down to one man…
TWO reasons why Chelsea haven’t put Real Madrid to bed yet :
1- Thibaut
2- Courtois— Jeff ³⁴ (@JdristaJr) May 5, 2021
Courtois single-handedly keeping Madrid alive right now.
— Zwë ? (@ZwebackHD) May 5, 2021
Chelsea fans watching Courtois keep Real Madrid in the game back at Stamford Bridge ? pic.twitter.com/FcqvEImHlP
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 5, 2021
As the clocked ticked towards the 90-minute mark it was clear the nerves were beginning to set in for the Chelsea players.
Were it not for Courtois the game would have been over long ago, and despite Real’s blunt attack you just got the feeling they would fashion one decent opportunity before the end of the game.
Or maybe not…
Living every fan’s dream ? pic.twitter.com/MyePmkH0yB
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 5, 2021
Christian Pulisic & Mason Mount have come a long way ? pic.twitter.com/coLyYHd9UM
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 5, 2021
22 – At 22 years and 15 days Mason Mount is the second-youngest Englishman to score in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, after Wayne Rooney (21y 182d vs Milan). Mount is the first Englishman to score at this stage for Chelsea since Frank Lampard in 2008. Blue. #CHERMA pic.twitter.com/GAeF1cryWA
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 5, 2021
2-0 to Chelsea and there was absolutely nothing Zinedine Zidane’s men could do to stop them marching on to this season’s Champions League final.
Let the party begin. Well, actually not quite, there’s still one thing we need to sort out.
If Chelsea win the Final does Frank Lampard get a medal?? I think he should get one #CHERMA #ChampionsLeague
— Jamie Ohara (@Mrjamieohara1) May 5, 2021
Frank Lampard after Chelsea get to the champions league final https://t.co/qXcINGuBUA
— Richard (@Richy_Rich1996) May 5, 2021