Karim Benzema was among the goals as Real Madrid claimed a 2-0 win over a ten-man Chelsea in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday night.
Benzema, who starred in this fixture last season, set out up top for Real with former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger on the bench, while Joao Felix and Raheem Sterling led the line for the Blues.
Felix almost gave the visitors a strong start right from kick-off through a teasing effort from a ball in by N'Golo Kante, but he was kept in check by Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Madrid proved more accurate and found the opener midway in the first half when goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga palmed Vinicius' angled shot into the path of Benzema who duly tapped in the net.
It should've been two for the host minutes gone from a ball by Eduardo Camavinga to a charging Vinicius, but the Brazilian's smart dink was cleared off the line by a determined Thiago Silva.
Madrid continued to find joy in forward areas and ran in behind the visitors with ease ahead of the break, but failed to double their lead.
The Blues looked to draw level two minutes after halftime and saw Felix curl in from a tight angle on the edge of the area, but Courtois parried the effort away from goal.
Chelsea's hopes of a comeback were dented though ten minutes from the break when Ben Chilwell hacked down Rodrygo outside the area and conceded a free-kick as well as a red card.
Los Blancos introduced two changes off the bench with 20 minutes to go in Rudiger ahead of Camavinga and then removed Rodrygo to throw on Marco Asensio.
The European champions maintained dominance and extended their lead four minutes later after Asensio pounced on a square delivery from Vinicius following a short corner and converted.
Chelsea weren't able to threaten a comeback inside the latter exchanges and suffered a first-leg defeat with the return-leg scheduled next Tuesday in London.
You must be Sign In to read and post comments.
Click here to register: Sign In