Chelsea vs Benfica, 2011-12 UEFA Champions League, Quarter-finals

· 2nd Leg - Chelsea win 3-1 on aggregate

Chelsea

21': Frank Lampard (P)
90'+2': Raul Meireles

FT
2 - 1
2nd Leg - Chelsea win 3-1 on aggregate

Benfica

40': Maxi Pereira
85': Javi García

About

Chelsea are hosting Benfica at Stamford Bridge, London, England, starting on . The match is a part of the UEFA Champions League.

Match Timeline

0': Join Dale Johnson (Twitter: @dalejohnsonESPN) from 1945 for live text commentary of Chelsea v Benfica - the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie at Stamford Bridge.
0':
Salamon Kalou slides in a vital away goal for Chelsea at Benfica.
0': David Luiz overcomes an ankle injury to start for Chelsea. They make two changes from the 1-0 victory in the first leg in Portugal, with Frank Lampard and Branislav Ivanovic coming in Raul Meireles and Paulo Ferreira.
0': Benfica are without first-choice centre-halves Jardel and captain Luisao, so are forced to play midfielder Javi Garcia as a makeshift defender.
0': The atmosphere is starting to build at Stamford Bridge. "One Man Went To Mow" being sung by the home fans.
0': It may be a surprise that Didier Drogba is not playing as Benfica do not have any centre-backs. Javi Garcia is a midfielder and Emerson a full-back.
1': Chelsea kick-off at the Bridge.
2': Opta stat: Chelsea have conceded fewer goals at home (1) than any other team in the Champions League this season.
3': Good start from Benfica, probing around the Chelsea box.
4': Gaitan wins a corner for Benfica. It's headed clear with ease at the near post by Lampard.
5': The ball comes back in and it's Witsel who tries to pull the trigger and it's Lampard there again with a fine block.
5': Now Aimar tries his luck from 20 yards out - Terry throws himself to make the block.
6': Benfica piling on all the pressure, Chelsea showing fine commitment to the cause.
7': Cardoso goes down 30 yards from goal but Slovenian referee Skomina tells him to get up.
8': Corner to Chelsea now.
9': Benfica have every single player back in the box but somehow Luiz is unmarked at the far post. He can't control and it gives Capdevila the time to rush out and block the shot.
10': Chelsea seem to have weathered the early Benfica storm.
11': Shot from Bruno Cesar, blocked again this time by David Luiz.
12': Mata slides it under Artur and scores for Chelsea! But the flag is rightly up for offside against the Spaniard.
13': Wayward effort from Aimar almost clears the Chelsea stand and ends up on Fulham Road.
14': Ramires palms off Gaitan and is penalised for the foul. Benfica take it short.
15': Bruno Cesar switches the ball out to Gaitan on the wing, who attempts the first-time volleyed cross ... and produces what would be best described as a fresh air shot.
16': Mata almost plays in Kalou with an early hooked pass - Javi Garcia does well to intercept..
17': Referee stops play so Bruno Cesar can get treatment - even though Aahley Cole was not penalised for the challenge which caused the knock.
18': There are no Portuguese players in the Benfica side.
19': Bruno Cesar needs to go off for treatment. He has a shoulder complaint but will be coming back on.
19': Gaitan almost gets in through the centre - Cech out smartly to punt clear.
20': Carozo is the first in the book for a late tackle on Luiz - perhaps unfortunate.
20': PENALTY TO CHELSEA
20': Makeshift defender Javi Garcia barges Ashley Cole off the ball as he makes a shock run through the centre and it's a definite pen.
21': Lampard....
21': GOAL Lampard beats the outstretched hand of Artur has he dived low to his right, and Chelsea have a crucial lead.
22': That goal means we cannot have penalties tonight. Benfica need two - which would see them through on away goals.
23': You can follow me on Twitter: @dalejohnsonESPN
24': Maxi Pereira and Bruno Cesar were both booked for dissent in that incident. Cesar would be out of the first leg against Barca if Benfica get through.
25': Ashley Cole just went on another run through the centre. Chelsea should not overcommit defenders in offensive areas even if it has got them the opening goal.
26': Long range effort from Cardozo, it looked a decent effort but went over.
27': Torres has a break through the centre, Emerson left floundering, but the Spanish striker delays a pass across the box too long and it only finds a red shirt.
28': Pablo Aimar becomes the fourth Benifca player in the book, again for dissent.
29': Gaitan gets into the box and tries to cut back inside - David Luiz with some great defending to nick the ball.
30': Mikel clips the boots of Aimar and wins a free-kick more than 30 yards from goal in a central area.
31': Brilliant move, dinked to the far post by Benfica to be headed back across the box. It falls to the unmarked Cardozo who needs Terry on the post to clear off the line.
32': Now Cardozo is back through, he slices an effort well wide and is relieved to see the flag was up for offside.
33': Cech makes a simple catch from a shot by Aimar.
34':
Frank Lampard celebrates putting the Blues ahead from the spot.
36': Fine football from Benfica, Cardozo almost dances through the centre but Terry keeps his eye on the ball and takes it off the striker's feet.
37': Free-kick to Benfica out wide on the right, Aimar floats it in but it's too easy for Lampard to head away at the near post.
37': Benfica playing some really good stuff, Chelsea still pinned back for much of this game.
38': Cross from Gaitan, Ramire is forced to head it behind for a corner. Bruno Cesar takes from the right and mis-hits it completely - helped away at the near post by Kalou.
38': Ivanovic trips Gaitan on the edge of the box and that's a simple yellow card for the ref.
39': This free-kick is around 20 yards out to the left of goal. A real chance for the Portuguese club.
40': Aimar takes, and hits it into the top of the wall. What a waste.
41': MAXI PEREIRA IS OFF!
42': The Benfica captain, Maxi Pereira, is sent off for a lunge on Mikel after earlier being booked for dissent. The referee has no choice but to show a second yellow.
43': Mata connects with a ball over the top from Mikel, he sends it over the bar but the flag was up for offside anyway.
43': Bruno Cesar has taken over as Benfica's captain.
44': All of a sudden the game changes. Benfica look shellshocked.
44': Ramires plays a square ball across the box which Kalou almost reaches - but it's just too far in front.
44': Now Ramires enters the book for being a little late on Javi Garcia.
45': Free-kick to Chelsea on the left flank, it's woeful from Mata and Emerson clears.
45': Torres is played into acres of space, he has Mata completely unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box but slips when attempting the pass and it trickles to a defender. Poor.
46': Two minutes to be added on.
47': Mikel trips Aimar from behind and it's another free-kick just outside the area to the left of goal. One final chance in the half, Mikel lucky not to see yellow.
47': Aimar swings it in right footed, it's a decent ball but Terry heads to safety.
47': And that's half-time.
0': Benfica have been the better side for much of the game, but Chelsea have defender very well.
0': It was a definite penalty for a foul on Ashley Cole by Javi Garcia, but it certainly came against the run of play.
0': The dismissal of Maxi Pereira gives Chelsea an added edge, but Benfica are not out of this yet.
0': During the half-time interval you can follow me Twitter: @dalejohnsonESPN
0': The players are back out.
46': And it's Benfica to kick-off.
47': A Kalou shot clips a Benfica player and it's a corner.
48': Lampard takes, Terry meets it but the skipper is at an awkward angle and can only head over and wide.
49': Great save by Petr Cech!
50': Carozo hit a left-footed shot first time from the edge of the area, it was heading for the top corner but Cech threw himself high to his right and clawed it behind.
51': The corner is eventually worked to Aimar, but he can only hit his long-range shot wide of the left post.
51': Unbelievable miss from Ramires!
51': Kalou worked space in the box, fired across the face of goal and somehow, from a yard out, Ramires managed to miss the ball! Torres cannot mop up after him.
52': Aimar overhits a pass down the line for Gaitan and it's behind for a goal-kick.
53': Benfica are not finished here, but you feel that if Chelsea get a second their hearts will sink.
54': Carozo tries an audacious shot from ten yards inside the Chelsea half, Cech never really worried.
55': Torres cuts back inside his defender in the D and sees his shot take a deflection and run inches wide of the left-hand post. So close.
56': Mata crosses to the near post, Kalou is there but heads ten yards wide.
57': Mata forces a save out of Artur, he can only palm it back out and Torres fails to fire on target with an improvised effort.
58': Surprise change as Oscar Cardozo is replaced by Oliveira.
59': John Terry, a yellow card away from suspension, makes way for Gary Cahill. Terry does not seem to have an injury problem.
60': Kalou tries to dink one to the far post - it lands on the top of the net but there was no Chelsea player there anyway.
61': Lampard strikes an effort first time from 30 yards and it ends up closer to the corner flag.
62': Benfica take off another of their danger men as Gaitan makes way for Yannick.
63': The recent changes by Benfica do not suggest they feel they can get the two goals they need.
64': Capdevila smashes one over the bar from 25 yards out. No chance.
65': Oliviera and Yannick link up well, Ivanovic's clearance is poor and Cahill has to get a touch on Yannick's shot to send it wide.
66': Chelsea break well, Mata picks out Kalou bursting on the left but Artur is out to block a tame shot.
67': Benfica coach Jorge Jesus gets a talking to from the referee for complaining about a decision.
68': Ramires crosses for Torres, who can only guide a header five yards wide.
69': Remember you can follow me on Twitter: @dalejohnsonESPN
70': Mata breaks superbly into the box, running onto Kalou's pass, he shoots on the angle and it goes a yard wide.
71': Firing across the six-yard box may have been the better option for Mata there.
72': This game is winding down as a true spectacle.
73': A final change for Benfica as Rodrigo replaces Bruno Cesar.
74': Fine cross from Capdevila and Yannick heads just over. That was a fine chance.
75': Neat play from Chelsea as Cole is fed into the box on the left, he plays it across only for Kalou to take it off the toe of Mata and fire a yard wide.
76': Benfica break up the other end put Oliviera hits his shot straight at Cech on the angle.
77': Another shot from Oliviera, this time dragged well wide of the right post.
78': Mata gets a pass all wrong just when Chelsea looked menacing.
79': Mikel cynically trips Rodrigo. A free-kick 25 yards out in a central position.
80': Juan Mata is replaced by Raul Mereles.
81': Aimar takes the free-kick, but it's catching practice for Cech.
82': Cole is tripped and Chelsea have a free-kick in their own half. They will be in no rush.
83': It's been a game with plenty of chances, but very little in the way of true quality.
84': Luiz is penalised for holding back Oliviera.
85': Great save Cech!
85': The ball is swung in from the right, Yannick meets it but Cech throws himself himself to his right and pushes it behind.
85': GOAL JAVI GARCIA!
86': The corner came in from the left, and Javiu Garcia was left to meet the ball and flick it into the far corner with his head. Game on!
87': Remember, if Benfica score another goal they are THROUGH. Squeaky bum time for the home fans.
88': Benfica's strikers are outnumbering Chelsea defenders! Oliviera has time and options. He foolishly shoots from the edge of the box with the outside of his right - always going wide.
89': Didier Drogba comes on to waste some seconds, replacing Torres.
89': Opta stat: Didier Drogba has scored five goals in his last five Champions League appearances.
90': Chelsea looking very, very nervous.
90': Chelsea just keep giving the ball away, this time Kalou passing to a red shirt.
91': Four minutes to be added on.
91': Capdevila crosses, Ivanovic clears but Lampard gives it away.
92': Drogba bullies into Aimar and it's a free-kick, central, 30 yards out.
92': Now the refree wants words about pushing before the free-kick.
92': Aimar takes, it's poor and Mikel heads away.
92': GOAL RAUL MEIRELES!
93': Chelsea broke from the Mikel clearance. Raul Meireles ignored the options and just kept on running. He got to the edge of the area and belted a shot into the top right corner. No chance Artur. Game over.
94': Shot from Aimar, he picks out Cech for catching practice not for the first time.
94': And that's it! The whistle goes! Chelsea book a semi-final date with Barcelona!
0': Chelsea were far from convincing, and looked in real trouble when Javi Garcia pulled a goal back - but it's job done.
0': They now face Barcelona two weeks tonight in the first leg of the semi-finals - and they will have to play a whole lot better than this and somehow take something worthwhile back to Camp Nou.
0': That's it for tonight. We'll be back tomorrow with live coverage of the Europa League quarter-finals. You can join me on Twitter: @dalejohnsonESPN

Statistics

BEN		CHE
11	Fouls	16
3	Yellow Cards	3
1	Red Cards	0
1	Offsides	5
5	Corner Kicks	4
2	Saves	8
50.8	Possession	49.2
22	SHOTS	17
9	ON GOAL	4
0.4	On Target %	0.2
0	Penalty Goals	1
0	Penalty Kicks Taken	0
353	Accurate Passes	352
420	Passes	414
0.8	Pass Completion %	0.9
5	Accurate Crosses	7
26	Crosses	14
0.2	Cross %	0.5
40	Long Balls	60
25	Accurate Long Balls	39
0.6	Long Balls %	0.7
4	Blocked Shots	4
14	Effective Tackles	10
20	Tackles	16
0.7	Tackle %	0.6
0	Interceptions	0
12	Effective Clearances	23
24	Clearances	41

Game Information

Competition: UEFA Champions League

Venue: Stamford Bridge
Location: London, England
Attendance: 37,264

Line-Ups

Chelsea (4-2-3-1)

No.	Name
1	Petr Cech (GK)
26	John Terry
4	David Luiz
3	Ashley Cole
2	Branislav Ivanovic
8	Frank Lampard
12	John Obi Mikel
9	Fernando Torres
10	Juan Mata
21	Salomon Kalou
7	Ramires

Chelsea Substitutes:

Raul Meireles, Didier Drogba, Gary Cahill, Daniel Sturridge, Ross Turnbull, Michael Essien, Paulo Ferreira.

Benfica (4-2-3-1)

No.	Name
1	Artur Morães (GK)
3	Émerson Conceição
6	Javi García
38	Joan Capdevila
14	Maxi Pereira
21	Nemanja Matic
28	Axel Witsel
7	Óscar Cardozo
10	Pablo Aimar
20	Nicolás Gaitán
8	Bruno César

Benfica Substitutes:

Yannick Djaló, André Almeida, Eduardo, Nolito, Nélson Oliveira, Rodrigo, Javier Saviola.

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