Champions League: Chelsea 3–3 Real Madrid (5–4 pens)
Written by Digby (Match Reports)
On a night that will be replayed for generations, Chelsea and Real Madrid served up a Champions League epic — six goals, extra time, and the kind of drama that makes legends. In the end, it was Chelsea who stood tallest, prevailing 5–4 on penalties at the Drogba Arena to reach yet another semi-final.
Rogério José was electric, tormenting Madrid down the right and capping his performance with a thunderous strike on 17 minutes to cancel out Emanuele Sala’s early header. The Brazilian full-back was everywhere — defending, creating, and inspiring. His 8.7 rating said it all.
Madrid fought back through Carl Pritchard and Paul Malcolm, who each found the net in a frenzied second half. But Chelsea, as ever, refused to yield. Jairzinho rifled home from close range in the 70th, before Netanel Sahar struck the goal that sent the tie into extra time — a cool finish after pouncing on a loose ball.
It was 3–3 on the night, 4–4 on aggregate, and then came the shootout. Stamford Bridge held its breath as Scott Crichton stepped up and buried his spot kick with swagger, while Madrid’s Marcelo Avendaño missed the decisive penalty — a scuffed effort that rolled tamely into Elias Jimenez’s gloves.
Bedlam. Blue smoke. The Drogba Arena roared as one. Dimario’s men had done it — not with ease, but with heart, fury, and that strange inevitability that defines champions.
“They threw everything at us,” said Dimario after the match. “But we don’t break. Not here, not now.”
With the 5–4 shootout triumph, Chelsea book a semi-final date with Arsenal. London against London, empire against empire — a tie for the ages awaits.
Full-time: Chelsea 3–3 Real Madrid (Agg: 5–4)
Goals: José (17’), Jairzinho (70’), Sahar (78’) — Sala (6’), Pritchard (53’), Malcolm (76’)
Man of the Match: Rogério José (Chelsea)
Another night for the folklore of the Drogba Arena.