CHELSEA earned a spot in this season’s UEFA Champions League after a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund tonight at Stamford Bridge, the same night Benfica thrashed Club Brugge 5-1 in Lisbon.
With tonight’s win, Chelsea advanced 2-1 on aggregate against the Bundesliga side, who were without their injured Nigerian-born Germany international Karim Adeyemi, who scored the only goal in the first leg.
Chelsea were worthy winners in the end, although they squandered several big chances before Raheem Sterling shot them ahead in the 43rd minute, firing past Borussia Dortmund keeper Alexander Meyer after initially missing his shot.
The English side then took the lead on aggregate eight minutes after the break in contentious fashion.
Dortmund were not happy when a VAR review led to a penalty being awarded to Chelsea for a handball from Marius Wolf.
The Germans felt even a worse sense of injustice after Kai Havertz struck the post with his penalty only for a re-take to be ordered for encroachment.
Havertz converted at the second attempt and Chelsea sealed their place in the last eight, easing the pressure on manager Graham Potter.
In Lisbon, Portugal striker Goncalo Ramos struck twice, with Joao Mario, Rafa Silva and David Neres adding one each as Benfica eased to a 5-1 win over Belgian champions Club Brugge.
Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika was a 46th minute substitute for forward Noa Long but his presence did not help much as Brugge conceded thrice in the second half before Bjorn Meijer’s late consolation.
Benfica cruised through 7-1 on aggregate having won the first leg 2-0 in Belgium three weeks ago.
