BY SPORTS REPORTER
SENDING off of Ben Chilwell in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals match between home team Real Madrid FC and visitors Chelsea FC helped the host to maintain grip over the Blues.
Ben Chilwell was show a red card for a professional foul in the 59th minute of play.
The final result was that defending champions Real Madrid took control of their Champions League quarter-final with Chelsea by winning the first leg 2-0.
Even if Karim Benzema’s first-half goal in the 21st minute had put Chelsea under pressure, its woes were worsened when Chilwell was shown a red card for cynically pulling Rodrygo back just outside the area when through on goal.
Marco Asensio doubled the Champions League holders’ lead with a low strike in the 74th minute.
Chelsea hopes to recover on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 2100hrs Central Africa Time (CAT) when the teams battle it out in the second leg at Stamford Bridge Stadium in London. Chelsea will need to score at least twice to keep their season alive. The winners between Madrid and Chelsea will play Manchester City or Bayern Munich in the last four.