Pinned
A goal from Christian Pulisic has given Chelsea the advantage in the Champions League semifinals against Real Madrid as the Blues earned a 1-1 draw in the first leg on Tuesday. Pulisic became the first American to score in the semifinals, while also becoming the highest scoring American in the competition's history.
In a match where the Blues were the stronger team in the first half and Real were better in the second half, neither could find the winner as chances were hard to come by.
Chelsea started the match under the rain on the front foot and threatened early with Pulisic setting up Timo Werner with a golden chance moments in. The German, one on one with Thibaut Courtois, was denied by the foot of the Belgian as the hosts dodged a bullet. Moments later, Pulisic got in behind the backline on a lovely ball from Antonio Rudiger before rounding Courtois and firing home with Nacho and Raphael Varane trying to use their bodies to block it.
Here's the goall:
IT HAD TO BE HIM. CHRISTIAN PULISIC 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/yfXK3v9H6E
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) April 27, 2021
The crucial away goal saw Chelsea not only take the lead on the scoreboard but also earn all of the momentum against a puzzled Real that struggled dealing with the pressure of the visitors. Los Blancos needed something to change the swing of things, but breaking down the Blues' brilliant backline was proving tricky.
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That was until a ball into the box from Marcelo fell to the head of Eder Militao, who managed to put the ball in a dangerous spot. There, it was Karim Benzema who settled and rifled home a rocket to make it 1-1.
Take a look:
13 GOALS IN HIS LAST 13 STARTS. KARIM BENZEMA. 😱 pic.twitter.com/Dl2kTmCi0Y
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) April 27, 2021
The rest of the way saw some back and forth with Real having the majority of the ball and the chances. Neither goalkeeper was truly tested during the final minutes, leaving every possibility up in the air for next Wednesday's second leg.
The winner of next week's game will advance, while a 0-0 draw will be enough for Chelsea. A 1-1 draw would force extra time, while a draw with more goals would see Real advance to the May 29 final.
