Chelsea 2 - 0 Real Madrid (3-1 agg) | UCL | 05.05.21

Thomas Tuchel's men showed their class with a 2-0 (3-1 agg) victory over Real Madrid to set up an all English final in Istanbul. The German, who becomes the first coach to reach back-to-back finals with different clubs, has turned the side around since his arrival in January. Timo Werner, who ended his goal drought, and Mason Mount were the match-winners on the night.

Madrid, bolstered by the return of their captain, Sergio Ramos, bossed possession in the early parts of the game. Chelsea, entirely comfortable letting the Spanish side play in front of them. The Blues eventually sparked into life; first, Rudiger unleashed a seemingly speculative long-range drive that swerved and dipped to cause Courtois a little trouble as he punched clear. In the same passage of play, Mount linked up with Chilwell on the left side to force a second save from the Belgian, this time with his feet.

The pendulum swung in the hosts' favour after that; Chelsea this time enjoyed a period of possession before a few dangerous efforts into the Madrid box. Madrid had a couple of strikes of their own, both outside the area and saved comfortably by Mendy in the Chelsea goal.

On 17 mins, Chelsea thought they had opened the scoring. Kante won the ball on the halfway line before playing it out wide to Chilwell galloping forward. His low cross found Werner, who slotted home. Unfortunately for the Blues and the desperate Werner, he had carelessly strayed offside.

Not long after it was Real Madrid's turn to grow into the game, Benzema, anonymous until that point, received the ball on the edge of the Chelsea box; turning smartly, he bent a stunning strike that bound for the corner of the net. Mendy, fresh from his early catching practice, produced a superb save to match. Swiftly after that scare, Chelsea struck. Kante again, stealing the ball from Casemiro before springing the attack. The midfielder found Havertz, who beautifully dinked the ball over the onrushing Courtois; his effort with a little too much on it bounced back off the crossbar to be headed in on the goalline by Werner. A welcome goal for the German; he could not have wished for an easier chance to end his drought.

Chelsea did well to counter their guests whenever they won back possession. Naturally, Kante was the most frequent ball winner. His ability and poise in the tackle was a constant thorn in the side of Kroos and Casemiro. Just after the half-hour, the Benzema Mendy contest resumed. After some intricate play, Luka Modric found Benzema drifting in behind between Christensen and Azpilicueta. The Frenchman attempted a looped header over Mendy, who, in turn, responded expertly to tip over his crossbar.

The Londoners were in control at the break; another counterattack, late in the first half, should have yielded a second. Havertz retrieved a pass from Azpilicueta, excellent on the night, and ran at the heart of the Madrid defence. Instead of finding Werner or Chilwell, his decision to take on Ramos was poor; A pass would undoubtedly have doubled their lead.

The second period saw a barrage of Chelsea chances. Havertz was involved again straight after the break linking up with Azpilicueta on the right side before heading his captains cross onto the bar. Chelsea, sensing the need for a second, nearly turned in another. Ben Chilwell's out-swinging free-kick was headed over the fraught Madrid goal. Yet another effort came a minute later. Havertz flicked on from a Chelsea throw to release Mount, who, after powering past Militao, blazed his right-footed strike over once more. Three brilliant chances for Chelsea to seal it in the first 7 mins of the second half.

Kai Havertz really should have had a hattrick! Just before the hour, Courtois was forced into another save. A simple ball from Rudiger split the Real defence leaving the German free and alone to run on goal. His shot was blocked by the keepers' outstretched frame when he really ought to have killed off the tie.

The visitors had to make a change. Off went Mendy and Vinicius Jr, bested by Chilwell for most of the night, and on came Valverde and winger Ascensio. The changes initially energised them. Eden Hazard had a strike from a tight angle saved by Mendy at close range, but in truth it was a disappointing return for the Chelsea old boy. His effort came before another Chelsea miss. This time it was Kante from another incisive break. Werner won the ball high in his half before driving at the beleaguered Madrid defence; his pass perfectly weighted to Kante, who had popped up inside the area, was superbly blocked by the recovering Valverde.

With 15 minutes to play, a further attacking change from Madrid saw Brazilian youngster Rodrygo come on for Casemiro. It did little to change the flow of the game. Although Chelsea's missed opportunities kept the tie tense, the hosts' pace and power were too much for their guests to handle. The nail in the coffin finally arrived courtesy of Mason Mount. N'Golo Kante, a constant pest, pinched the ball just inside the Madrid half. Chelsea, 3v2, worked it perfectly; the Frenchman's pass found Pulisic, on for Werner, who calmly played it across to Mount to score. Another memorable moment for the Englishman in a fine season.

Solid defensively and threatening in attack, Chelsea produced a brilliant performance to upstage their more illustrious guests. City await in just over three weeks as they do at the weekend, which will be an interesting dress rehearsal before the big day. Considering their record against the Manchester side this season, they will be confident of winning their second European Cup.