RB Salzburg vs Chelsea Champions League result and reaction as Chelsea qualify for knockout stage - live
RB Salzburg 1-2 Chelsea: Goals from Mateo Kovacic and Kai Havertz see Blues book their spot int he kockouts with a game to spare
Kai Havertz’s brilliant second-half goal earned Chelsea a 2-1 win at RB Salzburg which booked their place in the Champions League knockout stages.
The Germany international curled in a stunning effort midway through the second half to decide a testing evening in Austria and extend Graham Potter’s unbeaten start to his Blues reign to nine games.
The Premier League side had gone ahead through a fine strike by Mateo Kovacic and only a string of saves by impressive home goalkeeper Philipp Kohn stopped it being a rout at half-time.
The Austrian side levelled early in the second half through Junior Adamu’s superb breakaway effort as Chelsea looked in peril. Havertz had the final say, though, winning the match in style and sending his side through with his 20-yard effort that found the top corner.
Chelsea will top Group E if Dinamo Zagreb fail to beat AC Milan in the late kick-off. Relive the action as Chelsea beat RB Salzburg in the Champions League:
RB Salzburg 1-1 Chelsea
59 mins: The match is flowing nicely from end-to-end which should excite the neutrals. Benjamin Sesko is brought on for Salzburg to replace Luka Sucic.
That’s a positive, attacking change from the home side who no doubt believe they can win this match.
RB Salzburg 1-1 Chelsea
56 mins: Christian Pulisic sprints up the pitch this time but can’t full control the ball as it comes into him and his first touch takes the ball into the box where Philipp Kohn runs out and smothers it.
Chelsea are responding well though after conceding.
RB Salzburg 1-1 Chelsea
52 mins: Off the line!
Kohn denies Aubameyang again managing to turn the ball wide of goal as the striker is fed into the box. Chelsea win a corner that gets swung onto the head of Jorginho who nods it towards goal.
Kohn is beaten this time but Adamu - who has just earned Salzburg the equaliser - is back to defend and he hooks the ball away before it crosses the goal line!
GOAL! RB Salzburg 1-1 Chelsea (Adamu, 49’)⚽️
49 mins: Chelsea are pegged back!
Fresh from the penalty appeal Salzburg attack again but come down the left side this time. Maximilian Wober brings the ball forward and whips in a perfect cross that is too far in front of Marc Cucurella for him to reach before curling back into Junior Adamu.
Adamu sticks out a leg to meet the bouncing ball and he guides it just wide of Kepa Arrizabalaga to send the home fans crazy.
Chelsea need a response now.
RB Salzburg 0-1 Chelsea
48 mins: Penalty appeal!
Salzburg whip an aerial pass into the box and Jorginho is flattened trying to win it. The ball comes loose, bounces up and strikes Mateo Kovacic on the arm as he looks to clear it.
Salzburg are adamant that they should have a penalty but VAR takes a look and nothing comes from it.
Second half: RB Salzburg 0-1 Chelsea
Kick off: Salzburg get the match restarted for the second half and win a throw in inside Chelsea’s half. There are no changes from either manager at the break.
As it stands Chelsea will qualify for the knockout stages tonight.
Celtic vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Coming up at the conclusion of this game is a big clash in Group F as Celtic host Shakhtar Donetsk. The Scottish side need to win to keep their hopes of dropping down into the Europa League alive but a defeat will knock them completely out of Europe this season.
We’ll have coverage of that match as soon as Chelsea finish up in Austria.
HT RB Salzburg 0-1 Chelsea
Mateo Kovacic is only the second player to score his first five Champions League goals under different managers (Jurcic, Benitez, Zidane, Lampard, Potter), along with Luka Modric (Redknapp, Mourinho, Ancelotti, Benitez, Zidane).
HT RB Salzburg 0-1 Chelsea
Chelsea lead 1-0 thanks to Mateo Kovacic’s brilliant left-footed strike. Will the Blues add to their tally in the second half?
Half-time: RB Salzburg 0-1 Chelsea
45+1 mins: Chelsea slice through the defence once more and Kohn denies Aubameyang again!
The visitors take a slender lead into the break and Graham Potter will be pleased with his side’s performance so far. If not for Salzburg’s goalkeeper the Blues would have this match sown up already.
He’ll want to add another goal as early into the second half as possible just to be sure but it’s so far so good for the London side.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments