Champions LeagueChelsea beat Dortmund, Benfica crush Brugge to reach quarter-finals

By India Today Sports DeskChelsea and Benfica stormed into the Champions League quarter-finals after securing wins over Borussia Dortmund and Club Brugge respectively, on Tuesday (March 7).

Raheem Sterling’s first-half goal and a controversial penalty by Kai Havertz propelled Chelsea to a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund. The 2021 champions missed an opportunity in the first half when Havertz hit the post and the side net.

Joao Felix, the Portugal loanee, and defender Kalidou Koulibaly went close and Sterling had efforts blocked. But in the 43rd minute, Ben Chilwell crossed into the box and found Sterling, who first air-kicked and then sidestepped Marco Reus to open his side’s scoreline.

In the second half, Chilwell’s cross smacked into the outstretched hand of Marius Wolf and the referee awarded a penalty following a VAR check. However, Havertz hit to goalkeeper’s left-hand post. Soon after, a VAR alerted that Dortmund players had encroached into the area.

Havertz retook the penalty, sending the ball in the same direction, but this time it went inside the post and Chelsea doubled their lead in the 53rd minute.

BENFICA BEAT BRUGGE

Elsewhere, a clinical Benfica crushed Club Brugge 5-1 to reach the Champions League last-eight stage with a 7-1 aggregate on Tuesday.

Benfica showed why they are considered the best side in Portugal since Jose Mourinho’s Porto were crowned European champions 19 years ago. Benfica started dominating the match right from the start in the heavy rain. Joao Mario’s goal got ruled out after a VAR check before Benfica wasted several chances against an out-of-depth Brugge.

Brugge were outclassed by this season’s Champions League’s unbeaten side Benfica. It was only a matter of time before Benfica took the lead, with a goal coming from Rafa Silva in the 38th minute. Ramos then netted on either side of the break. Joao and David Neres added two more before Bjorn Meijer scored Brugge’s only goal.