UEFA Champions League Round of 16, First Leg
12 March 2053 — Anfield
Chelsea Take Command at Anfield
On a rain-drenched night at Anfield, Chelsea delivered a performance of precision and control to defeat Liverpool 3–1 in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie. Goals from Pelé, Fernando González, and Jairzinho handed the reigning champions a commanding advantage heading into the return leg at the Drogba Arena.
It was a night that underlined Chelsea’s status not just as title holders but as ruthless operators on the European stage. Their midfield triangle of González, Landeira, and Junior controlled the tempo, while wide men Kieran O’Sullivan and Jairzinho provided incision and width. The decisive opening goal arrived just before half-time, when Pelé punished a mistake from Jonah Owusu with a driven low shot that caught the inside of the post before rippling the net.
Fernando González doubled the lead on 62 minutes with a thunderous volley from the edge of the area, the ball cannoning off the woodwork to leave Patrick Onana grasping at air. González, who was named Player of the Match, finished with a 91% pass accuracy and led all players for ball recoveries, setting the rhythm from deep.
Jairzinho added a third in the 85th minute with a deflected strike after a fluid Chelsea move down the right, rendering Makis Sotiriou’s 88th-minute header little more than a consolation for the hosts. Chelsea ended the match with six shots on target to Liverpool’s two, and despite having just 56% possession, they looked in control throughout.
🌍 Elsewhere in Europe
Second Leg Results:
- Borussia Dortmund 0–0 Napoli (Agg: 2–0): The German side held firm at home to secure a clean-sheet progression into the quarter-finals.
- Aston Villa 3–0 Valencia (Agg: 4–0): A dominant performance at Villa Park finished off the tie, with the Premier League side cruising through.
- OL 1–1 Atlético Madrid (Agg: 2–2, OL win on penalties): Lyon edged a tense night in France, with spot-kicks proving decisive after 180 minutes couldn’t separate the sides.
- RB Leipzig 2–0 Juventus (Agg: 2–4): A strong second-leg win from Leipzig wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit as Juve’s first-leg dominance proved too much.
First Leg Results:
- Arsenal 3–0 FC Bayern: Mikel Arteta’s men delivered a commanding performance at the Emirates and will take a big lead to Munich.
- FC Nantes 3–1 Man UFC: A landmark result for a club rapidly rewriting its European reputation. Read more on their incredible rise — from a struggling Ligue 2 outfit to one of France’s most dominant forces. Founded in 1943, FC Nantes rose to prominence through their celebrated “jeu à la nantaise” — a philosophy of fluid, technical football emphasizing youth development and collective play. Their trophy cabinet now includes twelve Ligue 1 titles, three Coupe de France wins, and a UEFA Champions League final appearance in 2050. The club’s Canaris academy remains one of Europe’s most productive, with several players starring in this historic win over Manchester UFC.
- Liverpool 1–3 Chelsea: The champions were efficient and clinical at Anfield, taking a strong lead back to London.
- Barcelona 1–4 Hertha Berlin: The German side stunned Camp Nou with a ferocious attacking display.
As the knockout stage unfolds, English clubs continue to show their pedigree. Arsenal, Villa, and Chelsea all hold commanding positions. United, by contrast, face an uphill battle. But at Anfield, under the lights and rain, Chelsea once again looked like Europe’s benchmark.