Chelsea worn out Madrid's three-1 lead from the first leg in beautiful style at the Santiago Bernabeu as Mason Mount, Antonio Rudiger and Timo Werner put Europe's reigning champions on the brink of a brilliant victory. But the 36-yr-vintage Modric intervened with some other second of genius to add to the very quality of his glittering career, a sumptuous pass with the outside of his right foot putting in place Rodrygo to volley in and sending a nerve-shredding contest into more time.
After scoring a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge, Benzema then progressed to claim the winner, the Frenchman capitalising on a Rudiger slip to move in, a three-2 defeat enough to see Madrid into the semi-finals. At the final whistle, Modric and Benzema dropped to the floor, their combined 70 years of age belying every other vintage contributions which have dragged Real Madrid in sight of a 14th European Cup. They will face either Manchester City or rivals Atletico Madrid within the remaining four.
After being thrashed by using Brentford after which outplayed via Madrid in the first leg remaining week, Chelsea got here in rejuvenated after placing six beyond Southampton inside the Premier League remaining weekend. Thomas Tuchel stated on Monday they might need a "super script" to pull off this comeback and that they virtually introduced that, their most effective failing an incapacity to prevent Modric and Benzema doing what they have accomplished so many times before.
Mount's aim within the fifteenth minute set the tone, Madrid at once fed on by way of anxiety and Chelsea given early hope. Mateo Kovacic have been key within the build-up however it turned into Ruben Loftus-Cheek's brief skip into Werner that caught Madrid cold, the German guidance the ball with his knee into the route of Mount, who advanced and fired past Courtois. For 20 minutes, Chelsea were dictating, Madrid pegged lower back. Reece James became doing a fine process restricting Vinicius Junior, blockading Madrid's escape path.
Benzema, Modric and Toni Kroos attempted to battle lower back control however Chelsea's authority changed into even extra reported early within the second 1/2 and within mins they'd a second, Rudiger rising high on the back publish to move in from a nook. With their lead long past, Madrid in short exerted, the crowd getting into the contest. But Chelsea have been celebrating a 3rd when Marcos Alonso pivoted round Dani Carvajal's sliding address and slammed into the pinnacle corner.
Madrid looked crushed, the stadium useless, however the referee was waiting. VAR noticed Alonso had managed along with his hand and whilst the choice was reversed, the Bernabeu erupted. With 28 mins left, the tie changed into returned inside the stability. Madrid had renewed impetus and nearly scored, Benzema's looping header on the lower back put up losing onto the crossbar. But it was brief, Chelsea coming again inside the 73rd minute as Kovacic slid via Werner, who coolly slalomed beyond two sliding Madrid defenders and despatched a deflected end dribbling into the nook.
A dissatisfied Kroos become taken off earlier than a wild contest turned once more on the instant of magic from Modric. With the outside of his foot, Modric stroked a 30-yard bypass over to the proper of the penalty place in which Rodrygo, on as an alternative, volleyed in. Chelsea regarded the much more likely to nick a past due winner and almost did, Kai Havertz nodding across the six-backyard field but Christian Pulisic shot over.
Into greater time and Madrid observed some other gear, Vinicius ultimately finding space to tear into. His floated cross might have been effortlessly cleared via Rudiger but the defender slipped, giving Benzema just enough space to manual his header in.
Chelsea, so composed all night time, unexpectedly looked ragged. Eduardo Camavinga fired over. Courtois Cruyff-turned round Havertz. But they threw the whole lot at Madrid inside the final mins, Courtois saving from Werner earlier than Fede Valverde needed to block a shot from Thiago Silva. Edouard Mendy went up for a very last corner however it changed into cleared, Madrid conserving on.
