Jenny Asemota
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Rodrygo scored a secondhalf brace for Real Madrid in a 20 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday to seal a spot in the Champions League semifinals for the defending champions by a final aggregate score of 40.
It is the first time Chelsea have lost four games in a row since 1993.
A cagey opening 45 minutes looked similar to Madrid’s 20 win in the first leg of the quarterfinal tie as Chelsea came out strong before the visitors settled into the game and were largely in control up to halftime.
Olley Lampard’s plan gave Chelsea hope, but no goals Stream on ESPN LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
Marc Cucurella should have scored just before the half, but a scampering Thibaut Courtois blocked his closerange strike after the Spaniard was left all alone at the far post and the teams went into the break tied 00.
“It isn’t easy to get to the semifinals or a final.
I always say it’s a very special competition for me, every time I play I can help the team,” Rodrygo said after the match. “I’m happy and I hope to carry on like that, scoring more goals, providing more assists and winning the Champions League again.”
Real Madrid players celebrate after scoring a goal against Chelsea in the Champions League quarterfinals.Getty Images
Rodrygo finished off a sweeping counterattack against a helpless Chelsea, who have lost all four games since Frank Lampard returned as interim manager, skipping past Trevoh Chalobah’s wild lunge with his cross eventually played back to him by fellow Brazi international Vinicius Junior for him to slot home.
The closing stages were almost academic and Real turned on the style with Federico Valverde teeing up Rodrygo’s second that was the catalyst for a mass exodus of Chelsea fans from their home ground.
“It’s a pleasure to be here at Real Madrid, the biggest team in the world,” Rodrygo added. “We know we have almost the obligation to get to semifinals and finals and to win the Champions League.
In the last three years we’ve got to a lot of them,” Courtois said following the win. “Obviously when you play a semifinal and lose, like against Chelsea three years ago, you don’t celebrate it.
“We’re happy to get to a semifinal, which isn’t easy, but once you’re there, if you lose, it doesn’t feel like much.Our target is to go through and win.”
Any hopes Chelsea might have had of an improbable comeback were dashed when Rodrygo scored shortly before the hour mark the celebrations starting well and truly in Madrid a little over 20 minutes later when the Brazilian doubled the lead for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
“I don’t know how to explain it.
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