Chelsea v Borussia Dortmund LIVE result: Champions League score as Sterling and Havertz send Chelsea through
Chelsea 2-0 Borussia Dortmund (agg: 2-1): The Blues impressed and, after early frustration, Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz sent them into the quarter finals
A first-half goal from Raheem Sterling and a controversial penalty by Kai Havertz overturned a first-leg deficit and propelled Chelsea into the Champions League quarter-finals with a 2-1 aggregate win over Borussia Dortmund.
Just as they had in Germany three weeks ago when Dortmund won 1-0, 2021 champions Chelsea squandered chance after chance in the first half, with Germany’s Havertz hitting the post. But in the 43rd minute, Ben Chilwell crossed into the box and found England teammate Sterling.
Sterling air-kicked his first effort, then sidestepped Marco Reus and sent his second high into the net to put the teams level on aggregate.
Early in the second half a Chilwell cross smacked into the outstretched hand of defender Marius Wolf and Dutch referee Danny Makkelie gave the penalty after being called to the VAR screen. Havertz hit the keeper’s left-hand post and play resumed for a few seconds until VAR alerted Makkelie that Dortmund players had encroached into the area. Havertz retook the kick and sent the ball the same way but this time it squeezed inside the post for a 53rd-minute strike.
It was Dortmund’s first defeat following wins in their previous 10 matches and a boost for Chelsea, who have struggled for form under Graham Potter since the turn of the year. Relive all the action as Chelsea host Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last 16:
Chelsea vs Borussia Dortmund prediction
Chelsea will be confident after their victory over Leeds at the weekend and will have the backing of the home crowd at Stamford Bridge but their lack of goals remains a big problem.
Borussia Dortmund will not make things easy. The German side have not lost in 11 games, have an eye for goal, and know how to grind out results which will frustrate the Blues.
Chelsea 1-1 Borussia Dortmund - Dortmund to progress 2-1 on aggregate.
Chelsea vs Borussia Dortmund predicted line-ups
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga, Fofana, Koulibaly, Cucurella, James, Fernandez, Kovacic, Chilwell, Sterling, Havertz, Felix
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel, Wolf, Sule, Schlotterbeck, Guerreiro, Can, Brandt, Bellingham, Ozcan, Adeyemi, Haller
What is the early team news?
Reece James will be assessed before the game to see if he is fit to play and Christian Pulisic could return having been out since January with a knee problem.
N’Golo Kante and Armando Broja remains unavailable to Graham Potter and Thiago Silva is now another longer-term absentee. Mason Mount missed the victory over Leeds through injury and is also suspended.
Borussia Dortmund will be missing Youssoufa Moukoko, while first-leg goalscorer Karim Adeyemi and goalkeeper Gregor Kobel are both doubts.
How to watch Chelsea vs Borussia Dortmund
This Champions League last-16 second leg match will kick off at 8pm on Tuesday 7 March at Stamford Bridge.
The match will be available for fans to watch on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate. Coverage starts on both at 7pm.
Chelsea vs Borussia Dortmund
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League action as Chelsea take on Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16 second leg. Kick off for this one is at 8pm in what could be a defining match for Chelsea’s season at Stamford Bridge.
Since replacing Thomas Tuchel with Graham Potter after taking over the club, owner Todd Boehly has seen his team drop well off the pace in the Premier League and will be considering the possibility that the Blues won’t be playing in Europe next season.
However, Chelsea could yet pull off a spectacular run in the Champions League. They need to start with a victory against Borussia Dortmund tonight and currently trail 1-0 on aggregate after the first leg.
This is really the only match on consequence Potter’s side have left in the season. If they lose then the Blues will just be trying to finish as high as possible in the Premier League. If they win, the dream of lifting the top trophy in Europe becomes another step closer and there is still something to fight for this year.
The first leg between these sides was an open affair with chances galore. Dortmund will likely be more reserved this evening but if Chelsea can score then the match becomes anyone’s game.
The pressure has been mounting on manager Graham Potter but if he can back up a victory against Leeds with one against Borussia Dortmund then he’ll be answering his critics.
Can Chelsea pull off a remarkable win over their German opponents and reach the last eight? Let’s find out.
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