Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea: Christian Pulisic secures Blues away goal before Karim Benzema equalises

 

Chelsea grabbed a potentially vital away goal in a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final first-leg tie.

The backdrop of Real's training ground may not have screamed 'Champions League semi-final' but the quality on the pitch was up to the usual standard in the first half with Chelsea taking the lead after 13 minutes when Christian Pulisic rounded Thibaut Courtois to give Thomas Tuchel's side the perfect start.

Madrid looked an ageing side up against the bright and bubbly Chelsea attack but managed to fire their way back into the game when Karim Benzema latched onto a couple of knockdowns in the Chelsea area to level the scores in thumping fashion.

The pair will meet again next Wednesday (May 5) at Stamford Bridge to decide who reaches the final in Istanbul on May 29.

Both clubs have a rich recent Champions League history but this was the first meeting between them in 23 years, since the 1998 UEFA Super Cup in Monaco.

The rain in Spain made for some wet and wild conditions with players slipping on the sodden turf but Chelsea adapted well.

Their clever and quick passing in midfield was causing Real lots of problems and Timo Werner really should have given the west Londoners the lead on 10 minutes. Pulisic's header across goal put it on a plate for the German but he was denied from six yards out by a sprawling Thibaut Courtois save.

Pulisic had another chance to play Werner in minutes later but decided against it which proved a masterstroke as he gave Chelsea the lead.

Antonio Rudiger picked him out over the top with a fine ball and instead of passing to Werner he decided to take Courtois out of the equation by dribbling around him and fired past two defenders on the line.

Chelsea's speed, energy and intensity was too much for Real, who didn't look comfortable in their 3-5-2 system. The only thing missing from Chelsea was their ruthlessness in the final third with final passes or finishes failing to hit the required level.

Benzema made them pay for that wastefulness. Report here