Chelsea after beating Dortmund 2-0 in the Champions League quarter-finals

Raheem Sterling (43rd) and Kai Havertz (53rd) scored for the 2021 Champions League winner with a penalty kick used at the second attempt. The first attempt at his shot at the post had to be repeated because the players ran into the penalty area too early. The penalty was awarded primarily because the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervened – and rightly so. Dortmund’s top scorer in the first leg, Karim Adeyemi, went up front, and the former Salzburger was not around due to injury.

There were already problems for Dortmund before kick-off. The team bus had to wait about 15 minutes in front of the stadium before officials cleared the way. As a result, the match started about 12 minutes late. And there, too, soon the next bad news came to Dortmund, who continued to play without regular goalkeeper Gregor Coppel. Julian Brandt was ruled out after just over three minutes with an injury to his left thigh, making him the first substitute in the Champions League’s knockout stage.

Londoners began raiding. Alexander Meyer had to make a save against João Félix (6′), Havertz didn’t hit the ball on target from a good position (8′). The Germans almost turned the match upside down, but Kepa Arrizabalaga hit a free kick from a corner kick (17). Otherwise the host side just pressed on and was lucky for the time being. Havertz’s shot hit the inside crossbar, but did not find its way into the goal (28′). Havertz’s goal was not recognized after that because Sterling was in an offside position (38). Meyer (40) saved again from the sidelines of Joao Felix.

In the 43rd minute, the Eredivisie goalkeeper was weak. After Chilwell’s cross in the 16th, Sterling got the necessary luck with the ball and fired powerfully from eleven metres. Less than two minutes into the second half, the VAR intervened with a slight delay and the London side were awarded a penalty when Marius Wolff flicked Chilwell’s cross into the corner.

Havertz attacked the guard, Meyer, but failed in the post. With some players entering the penalty area too early, the penalty was repeated. Havertz did not show any tension, and chose the same implementation, with the difference that this time the ball fell directly into the corner. Dortmund could have saved themselves in extra time, but Judd Bellingham missed a great chance from close range (58th). Otherwise, the third target was in the air on the other side but did not fall.

The “Blues” scored more than one goal for the first time in their 12th game of the new year. After a 1-0 league win over relegation favorites Leeds United, Graham Potter’s side celebrated their second successive victory. Dortmund will have to wait for the first quarter-final in the “first division” since the 2020/21 season.

Coached by former Salzburg coach Roger Schmidt, Lisbon won 7-1 after beating Brugge 2-0 away from home. The Portuguese had already laid the foundation for promotion in Belgium and finally made it all clear with a double blow shortly before the break. Rafa Silva made it 1-0 (38) after a 70-meter sprint and a perfect counterattack after a pass from Goncalo Ramos. In first-half injury time, the assist provider shone as an enforcer after Joao Mario’s preparatory work. In the 57th minute, the forward of the Portuguese team set up his brace after assisting Grimaldo.

For the Belgians, it was even more bitter. Joao Mario (71) scored from the penalty spot, thus in the fifth Champions League match in a row. In addition, David Neres (77) also entered the list of pitchers. At the end of the day, the guests at least managed to score a consolation goal scored by Bjorn Meyer (87). Schmidt can now try for the first time in his coaching career in April in the “first division” quarter-finals. Benfica is there for the second time in a row, and in 2022 they lose to Liverpool. The draw will take place on March 17th.