Chelsea sealed their spot in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League with a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their round of 16 tie at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. The Blues overturned a 1-0 deficit from the first leg to progress to the last eight with a 2-1 aggregate victory.
Raheem Sterling was the hero for Chelsea, scoring a crucial goal just before half-time to settle the nerves of the home side. The England international was played in by a brilliant through ball from Kai Havertz, and he made no mistake with his finish, slotting the ball past Dortmund goalkeeper A. Meyer to put the Blues ahead.
The second half saw Chelsea take control of the game, and they were rewarded with a penalty when the ball hit Dortmund defender M. Wolf’s hand in the box. Havertz stepped up to take the spot-kick and calmly converted to double his side’s advantage.
Dortmund tried to mount a comeback, but Chelsea’s defense held firm, with goalkeeper Arrizabalaga making crucial saves to keep Chelsea’s hope alive. The Norwegian striker was kept quiet for most of the game, thanks to an excellent defensive display from the likes of Koulibaly and Fofana.
Chelsea manager Graham Potter will be delighted with the way his side played, especially in the second half, as they controlled the game and limited Dortmund’s chances. The Blues will now await their opponents in the quarterfinals, with the draw set to take place on Friday.
For Dortmund, it was a disappointing end to their Champions League campaign, as they failed to build on their first-leg victory. Manager Edin Terzic will be left to rue missed opportunities, as his side failed to take their chances and were punished by a clinical Chelsea side.
Overall, it was a deserved win for Chelsea, who showed their quality and resilience to come back from a first-leg deficit and progress to the next round. The Blues will now shift their focus to the Premier League, where they will face Sheffield United on Sunday, as they look to secure a top-four finish and Champions League qualification for next season.