The European champions were two goals down after last week’s 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge, but Mason Mount’s 15th-minute strike gave the Blues the perfect start.
Antonio Rudiger then equalized after half-time with a header at the far post, before Timo Werner’s deflected finish stunned the hosts as Chelsea led on aggregate.
But substitute Rodrygo responded to draw Real Madrid level five minutes later and force extra time, where Karim Benzema put his side ahead with another header in the draw. This means that Real Madrid will qualify for the semi-finals, where they will face either Manchester City or rivals Atletico. Follow the reaction to a classic Champions League quarter-final below:
Chelsea denied heroic comeback as Karim Benzema settles Champions League thriller
A barely believable night at the Bernabeu, which should leave chelsea wondering exactly how they got out.
Many will rightly point out the seemingly eternal magnificence of Luka Modric and Karim Benzemawho together conjured the second sensational returns of this tie. Chelsea should always only care about themselves.
They had won the game, 3-0 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate, only for basic negligence allowing real Madrid go through two strikes to make it 5-4 on aggregate after extra time. Everyone had been pushed over the edge. Two players went beyond. Thomas Tuchel was livid.
Surely that feeling is all the deeper given the feeling – not for the first time – that Madrid just aren’t that good. It is as if they were constantly favored by circumstances. They would happily point out that they have just the players to exploit any circumstance and expose any team’s flaws as there can be no doubting Modric and Benzema.
The French star was the match winner again, scoring his 38th goal of the campaign in his 38th game, and is that Champions League best player of the season.
Real Madrid 2 – 3 Chelsea (5-4 agg)
Luka Modric has four assists in the Champions League this season, his best comeback in a single campaign.
Since joining Real Madrid in 2012-13, only Cristiano Ronaldo has more assists for them in the competition (20) than the Croatian (16)
Real Madrid 2 – 3 Chelsea (5-4 agg)
Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric speaks to BT Sport:
Luka Modric calls Real Madrid’s win over the European champions ‘incredible’ in his post-match interview with BT Sport. “Incredible to describe this game.” said Modric, “We were dead until the goal we scored. Chelsea scored three goals, maybe the first bit lucky from a deflection. I can’t say we played badly. They did well. used their chances and scored goals. We didn’t give up. We kept believing, fighting and in the end we showed enormous character.
“This stadium and the fans were very helpful when we were losing 3-0. They kept supporting us and that gave us a boost to keep believing.
“The manager has made big changes. They did well. In this competition, experience plays an important role and I think today it helped us a bit. For me, this is the most difficult team to face. it’s a solid and physical team. We knew it would be difficult.
“At the end of the day, we showed a lot of character, desire and unity to successfully turn things around. A very sweet loss.
Rudiger speaking to BT Sport
Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger says his side are correcting the mistakes they made on both legs and says those lapses in focus were the reason they were knocked out of the Champions League.
Speaking to BT Sport, he said: “The good thing is that we haven’t given up. Few teams can come here and dominate them, like we did. On both legs, if you commit the type of mistakes we have made, you are punished.
Chelsea’s Champions League response fails against Real Madrid
Karim Benzema’s punishing header crushed Chelsea’s remarkable comeback as real Madrid lost 3-2 at the Bernabeu Stadium but reached the Champions League semi-finals 5-4 on aggregate.
France’s ruthless hitman Benzema produced a carbon copy of the two headers he scored in the quarter-final first leg last week at Stamford Bridewhere his hat-trick made Real expect to enter the last four.
Champions League holders Chelsea came to Madrid with other ideas though, big ideas indeed, of a memorable and defying return in this thrilling second leg.
Real Madrid’s Nacho reaction
Real Madrid defender Nacho spoke to Movistar Plus after the match and said: “Incredible – one more of those nights here at the Bernabéu. The encounter became very difficult for us. It was similar to the match in Paris. It gives you goosebumps every time you live a night like this at the Bernabéu.
“The important thing is that we are in the next round. It’s true, we have a lot to improve, especially since the start of the game, but this is Real Madrid, we are taught from an early age that ‘You must never give up.
“Against Paris, a lot of people were waiting to write us off. Today, again, with the game against us, there were surely a lot of people who doubted us. But the DNA of this club is to go all the way.
Real Madrid 2 – 3 Chelsea (5-4 agg)
Carlo Ancelotti has reached the Champions League last four for the eighth time as a manager – no boss having made more appearances at this stage with Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola – who could face Real Madrid in the semis -final of this season – also currently on eight.
Real Madrid 2 – 3 Chelsea (5-4 agg)
Real Madrid have reached the European Cup/Champions League semi-final for the 31st time. That’s at least 11 more than any other side.
They are waiting for the winner of the draw between Atletico Madrid and Manchester City. City lead 1-0 ahead of the second leg in Madrid which takes place tomorrow night.
Real Madrid 2 – 3 Chelsea (5-4 agg)
Real Madrid have now won their last five knockout matches against the defending champions in this competition. On the previous four occasions they have won the trophy.
