Premier League champions Chelsea sealed a place in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League when they thrashed Azerbaijan club Qarabag FK 4-0, away from home, on Wednesday night.
Manager Antonio Conte decided to reinstate defender David Luiz to the team, following their speculated fallout a couple weeks back, while Antonio Rudiger came into the line-up as well. The biggest surprise though was that star striker Alvaro Morata was benched for the night, with Eden Hazard assuming the duties of a false-nine, flanked by Pedro and Willian.
Qarabag were coming into the game on the back of two impressive results where they had managed to hold Atletico Madrid to draws both at home and away and they started off strongly as well. However, things went south when captain Rasad Sadiqov was sent off for fouling Chelsea’s Willian in the penalty area. Hazard duly converted from the spot to make it 1-0 after 21 minutes – his third strike in Europe this term.
Fifteen minutes later, the Belgian was in thick of the things once again, as he found Willian with a clever pass. The Brazilian winger made no mistake to double the Blues’ lead as Chelsea went into half-time with a two-goal advantage.
The pace of the game slowed down considerably post the break, with Chelsea’s eyes seemingly on the weekend’s Premier League fixture against Liverpool, but that did not stop them from adding more goals to their scoreline as midfielder Cesc Fabregas stepped up to convert another penalty in the 73rd minute, before Willian got his second of the night with five minutes left to play.
The result put Chelsea on top of Group C with 10 points, 2 points ahead of second-placed AS Roma and 4 above Atletico in 3rd position. The win confirmed their participation in the next stage of the competition.
The fans were certainly delighted with the big win and here’s how they reacted on Twitter:
Experiencing a live football match in a stadium is genuinely remarkable. The atmosphere differs significantly from watching on a screen. The energy and excitement are contagious, immersing you in the game like never before. If you're gearing up for your inaugural football match, knowing what to expect is essential. The sheer intensity of being surrounded by hundreds or thousands of passionate fans can be overwhelming. To ensure you make the most of this unique experience, here are some tips for first-timers: Secure Tickets Early Getting tickets is crucial, especially for popular events like the World Cup or highly anticipated matches. Buying online is often the most convenient method. As the season progresses, ticket demand increases, leading to quick sell-outs. Prices can vary based on team popularity, stadium quality, and other factors. You can think about buying your tickets in cryptocurrency. Consider using USDT but first understand tether meaning to know how to go about it. If you have a specific team or player you want to see, plan accordingly by checking their schedule and securing tickets early for the best experience. …
FRANCE WIN 14-0 🤯Les Bleus score 14 (FOURTEEN) times vs. Gibraltar for their biggest-ever win.…
Aston Villa are having a very fine season so far in the Premier League. The…
The Premier League run-in, the backend of the title race for Manchester City sees them…
Everton is having a bad season so far, from their poor form in the league…
Communication is the heartbeat of any successful soccer team. On the field, amidst the flurry…