That's it as Real Madrid advance to the final four teams remaining
Chelsea had plenty of chances but couldn't convert them. Would Romelu Lukaku have yielded a different result?
As Chelsea's comeback to take Real Madrid into extra time took center stage, elsewhere the biggest giant slaying of the tournament took place. Villarreal are into the Champions League semifinals after a heroic 1-1 draw away at Bayern Munich on Tuesday secured a 2-1 aggregate success at Allianz Arena. Chelsea came close to toppling Real Madrid winning by a 3-2 score but that was enough to see Real Madrid to a 5-4 aggregate victory.
After a goalless first half which went according to ther script for Unai Emery and his players, the inevitable Robert Lewandowski got the German giants back into it. It was a struggle of a match for Bayern despite dominating possession and taking 23 shots to Villarreal's four. Only four of Bayern's shots hit the target and 11 of their shots were speculative attempts from outside the box.
Julian Nagelsmann's side were unable to kick on, though, and it was Villarreal who found the crucial winning goal with a lethal counterattack finished off by Samuel Chukwueze to silence the home support. Bayern only have themselves to blame given the chances they squandered and their failure to create chances from the off.
However, full credit should go to Emery and his united squad which advances to the semifinals against the odds to equal their 2005-06 performance when they lost narrowly to Arsenal. It's a landmark moment for a special club and a good distraction from their middling La Liga form. Despite being labeled one of the weaker teams remaining in Champions League, no one will want to face the Yellow Submarine in the final round.
Chelsea were up against it, coming into the second leg behind by two goals after last week's match at Stamford Bridge. But Mason Mount restored belief only 15 minutes into the match. He took a Timo Werner pass and was able to turn it into an excellent finish. Chelsea were unlucky not to be ahead by multiple goals heading into the half but that would foreshadow what was to come later on.
Following a corner that should've been a goal kick, Antonio Rudiger was left unmarked to head in Mounts corner. Minutes later, Marcos Alonso had the ball in the back of the net but when he was setting up to shoot, the ball was judged to have hit his hand so it was ruled out by VAR. Chelsea would get their third, but it'd take until the 75th minute when Timo Werner rounded the keeper but still needed help from a Thibaut Courtois deflection to score.
Real Madrid showed that they can't be left for dead as Luka Modric lifted a lofted ball over the Chelsea defense that fell to Rodrygo for a goal that he made seem easier than it actually was. Christian Pulisic also had two good chances for the Blues in the closing minutes but was unable to finish them leading to extra time.
Extra time, or really any time where the game is on the line should be named Benzema time, and Vinicius Junior was able to find space to cross the ball to Benzema where the French striker showed why he's one of the best in the world, knocking in a diving header to ensure that Real Madrid would have a shot at another Champions League title.
Despite the lessons from the first leg, neither side appeared particularly sharp in front of goal early on. However, Bayern were far more creative that the Spaniards overall and that was partly due to Emery's game plan to absorb the pressure and try to counter. Chukwueze ensured that it was ultimately a success by converting with Villarreal's only shot on target and this is a defeat that will hurt the 2020 winners.
Villarreal can no longer be written off this edition. They have now dumped out Juventus and Bayern and will fancy their chances against what will likely be Liverpool. Given the run of games Jurgen Klopp's men face, this one could be trickier than expected for the Reds. Emery and his men might be struggling for Europe in La Liga, but they have the heart and the collective spirit to thrive as the ultimate underdogs.
Had Bayern somehow scraped through, the possibility of a heavy defeat to Liverpool was strong. This is not the same mighty Bundesliga behemoth of the past and they continued their worrying trend of allowing their opponents to score while Lewandowski's future is now a major talking point. It was one thing getting past an inexperienced Red Bull Salzburg side, but another coming up against such a wily unit as this Villarreal team.
It's perhaps a blessing in disguise for Bayern who bow out and enable Villarreal to give the semifinals everything as they try to go one step further than their 2005-06 adventure and follow up their Europa League success with a Champions League final. Whatever happens next, it has been well deserved for Emery and his players who have been unfancied over both legs against Juve and now Bayern only to come out on top.
While Real Madrid were counted out of Champions League at multiple stages due to age and their weaknesses in defense, Carlo Ancelotti doesn't need a perfect squad to compete. While Los Blancos lost the game to Chelsea, when they went behind he made the bold call of subbing out Tony Kroos for young Eduardo Camavinga. That change along with a late swap to bring in Rodrygo paid dividends as not only did Real Madrid take advantage of Chelsea's tired legs as the match grew on but their stars stepped up when it mattered.
Who else do you want playing a ball into the box for a critical chance in the 80th minute than Luka Modric? What about getting on a header in extra time? The list of players who you'd take over Benzema in that situation is pretty short, which is why Real Madrid will be moving on. Chelsea thought they had someone of that caliber in Romelu Lukaku but he was absent from the match just like their Champions League chances.
Across two legs, Chelsea took 48 shots but were not able to emerge with a victory over Real Madrid. Thomas Tuchel's plan was perfect as his team was not only in the correct areas but they also scored three goals to get back into the match. But when tired legs came into play, the team didn't pull their weight. Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech and Jorginho took seven shots between them when coming on late to change the game with only one of those hitting the target.
Chelsea has impressive depth on paper, but it wasn't on display in the trip to Spain as the trio only created two chances between them. The change of pace was needed after the starters went 90+ minutes at a torrid pace versus Madrid but the reserves let their team down. It's unfortunate that Pulisic was in this boat but after returning for national team duty, he has been a shell of the player who forced their way back into the Chelsea starting XI.
Robert Lewandowski -- The man everybody looks to for a goal in the Bayern side, he delivered on his end of the bargain despite a largely nonchalant performance up until then. Rating: 6
Dani Parejo -- One of the revelations of this Villarreal run, the midfield maestro was vital in creating Chukwueze's winner and was immense over the two legs. Rating: 8
Dayot Upamecano -- One of the Bayern defenders unable to keep up with Villarreal's lightning fast break late on, he was also responsible for a major miss at the other end which ultimately cost Bayern. Rating: 4
Raul Albiol -- Into the twilight years of his career, the veteran just keeps getting more and more assured and deservedly claimed the man of the match award for nearly overseeing a clean sheet which Emery was trying to mastermind. Rating: 8
Timo Werner -- Put in a shift for Chelsea creating two chances, assisting one goal and scoring another. Chelsea was noticeably weaker when he was substituted in the 83rd minute but it feels like he has taken over the left wing position for now. Rating: 8
N'Golo Kante -- It's weird writing that Kante had a bad game but while he created two chances, missing half of his tackles left the defense far too open at times. Kante is a player who sets an extremely high bar for themselves and it wasn't hit on Tuesday. Rating: 6
Rodrygo -- A great shift from the bench at both ends. He gave Real Madrid an aerial outlet while also tracking back in defense. And, of course, scoring a critical goal in the match doesn't hurt at all. Rating: 7
David Alaba -- While there wasn't much defense played in the match, that which was played was by Alaba. He made five tackles, had five recoveries, and was effective at bringing possession forward. A good shift at the back covering for Nacho. Rating: 7
Chelsea had plenty of chances but couldn't convert them. Would Romelu Lukaku have yielded a different result?
Ziyech and Jorginho had chances to put the ball in the net but couldn't finish their chances which is the story of the day for Chelsea. 27 shots for the Blues so far but only the three goals to show from it.
After Marcos Alonso won a corner, Rudiger was free in the box again but Real Madrid eventually cleared the ball before allowing another goal.
As Tuchel and Azpilicueta got booked from the bench after Azpilicuets stopped Lucas Vazquez from taking a quick throw, we need a camera following Tuchel's reactions to everything.
Going for the ball outside of the box, he was so close to colliding with a Chelsea attacker. If he made contact it would've been a red card but luckily for Madrid, the crisis was averted.
Still 13 minutes to go but with Saul and Jorginho entering the match, Thomas Tuchel has emptied the bench and is struggling for options. Get fresh legs on and see what happens.
It has been a long road but Karim Benzema has Madrid where they want to be.
While 71 percent of the earth is covered by water, the rest wasn't covered by N'Golo Kante today as he leaves the match for Hakim Ziyech.
Could this be the difference? Real Madrid has come on late scoring in the 80th and now 95th minute as none other than Vini Jr set the ball on a platter for him.
The form favors Chelsea but it could easily shift after Real Madrid scored the final goal.
Pulisic had a chance that he couldn't keep down so the game will head to extra time as Chelsea looks to overturn this deficit.
Chukwueze with a late, late goal to flip the script! What a story this would be. Sensational from Parejo.
He enters for goalscorer Timo Werner as the match could be heading to extra time.
Luka Modric plays an excellent ball over to the substitute Rodrygo. We're back level on aggregate with ten minutes to go.
It was some kinda goal as Werner needed to round the keeper following a line-splitting pass from Kovacic. It may go as an own goal as it hit Courtois on the way in but on their second time trying, Chelsea has their third goal of the match to take a 4-3 lead on aggregate.
Marcelo's experience is the first name that comes to mind but it's Tony Kroos who leaves the field fuming for Eduardo Camavinga can he push Real Madrid to score a goal?
Into the final 25 minutes and we are currently headed beyond 90 minutes tonight unless somebody scores at least once more. Fascinating finale coming up!
The goal was called back due to a handball by Alonso on the way to firing the ball in. Real Madrid will feel lucky but that is a showing of what is to come if things don't improve.
EVERYTHING is coming up Chelsea! Even as Alonso missed his first chance at the ball, he actually adjusted into a better position to fire it in. Madrid didn't know what hit them wow.
But nothing doing as everything is coming up Blue right now. Los Blancos have a reason to be aggravated with Chelsea's goal from the corner but you can't lose Rudiger in the box and expect not to pay. Chelsea have their tails up and are ready to go.
There it is. Bayern ahead on the night and level over the two legs! Huge goal for the Germans. How will Villarreal respond?
Upamecano really should have been doing better there. The hosts yet to break through while Villarreal happy to just keep sucking up the pressure. For how long, though?
Not sure what Real Madrid was doing but Chelsea's corner that should've been a goal kick went in via the head of an unmarked Antonio Rudiger. That's 3-3 on aggregate.
Courtois went full sweeper keeper to ensure that Chelsea didn't get a chance at goal but as the second half is beginning much as the first half ended, it's not looking great for Real Madrid.
Mount has the opener for Chelsea but Real Madrid haven't put a shot on target yet which is shocking. Thomas Tuchel has played his cards right in the early going as Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mateo Kovacic have four misplaced passes between them dominating possession.
Goalless at half time which means Villarreal are 45 minutes away from a potential semifinal. Bayern have a lot of work on to save this game. Emery so far stifling Nagelsmann's tactical plan. Can the hosts turn it around?
Even when they got a chance, Benzema's attack was blown dead due to elbowing Thiago Silva. Even with so much Champions League experience, are Carlo Ancelotti's men feeling the pressure?