Chelsea's 2023 season came to a new low after their Champions League hopes was ended by La Liga giants Real Madrid, who advanced into the semi-final at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues had the task of overturning a 2-0 deficit from the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu last week and they couldn’t get the job done despite putting in a brilliant performance that was undermined by the familiar failing of not putting the ball into the net.
Midfielder N'Golo Kante missed the chance to break the deadlock in the opening minutes while Marc Cucurella’s effort was blocked by former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Eventually, the moment the Blues dreaded came when Los Blancos’ counterattack in the 58th minute was finished off by Rodrygo from close range.
And in the 80th minute, the Brazilian prodigy tapped home from close range again to finish off Federico Valverde’s craft.
The 4-0 aggregate means Madrid have qualified for the semifinals and Carlo Ancelotti is on course to make a historic fifth win as a coach in Europe’s elite competition.
'We are happy to have qualified for the semifinals’
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti told BT Sport: "They [Chelsea] played really well, they were prepared. We suffered a lot and helped us stay at 0-0 at the end of the first half. Second half we were much better and scored two goals. We are happy to have qualified.
“He (Thibaut Courtois) was the best (goalkeeper) last season and is the best also this season.
"The two goals we scored (at Stamford Bridge) were a fantastic combination. We managed the ball. The second half was much better and in transition we were much better.
When asked a step closer to a 15th Champions League for Real Madrid, the Italian replied: "We try but we have another 180 minutes. But we try. We are ready to be there and we are ready to fight for the final."
'Chelsea played well for 60 minutes'
Chelsea interim boss Frank Lampard told BT Sport there were some positives to take from the performance against Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
"Yeah, for sure,” Lampard said. “We played really well for 60 minutes. We created chances but you have to take them.
“You don't want to praise the performance too much when you lose at this level but we were much improved. This club has been further in this competition and the players can take this feeling forward with them for the future.”
When asked whether goalscoring is an issue, Lampard answered: "It's not for the want for trying."
"You're playing for Chelsea. So regardless, in every game you play, you have to give everything. I won't let anyone off the hook and we have to show. That standard cannot drop."
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