Chelsea reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in seven years with a comprehensive 3-0 aggregate win over Spaniards Atletico Madrid.
Substitute Emerson Palmieri’s late strike sealed the win after Hakim Ziyech had earlier put the hosts firmly in control with a low effort after good work from strike partners Kai Havertz and Timo Werner.
Thomas Tuchel’s men had dominated possession in the early stages but failed to threaten Jan Oblak’s goal. – they even survived a penalty scare after winger Yannick Carrasco was pulled back by Blues captain Cesar Azpilicueta.
But the Blues, unbeaten in 13 games since Tuchel took charge, surged ahead via a beautiful breakaway goal shortly after the half-hour mark.
Havertz, growing in confidence in the past weeks, freed Timo Werner down the left, allowing his compatriot to square for Ziyech whose right-footed effort squirmed underneath the despairing dive of Oblak.
Chelsea had opportunities to extend their lead before Emerson’s stoppage-time effort effectively ended the opposition of 10-man Atleti – who had Stefan Savic sent off late on.
Elsewhere, Robert Lewandowski scored from the spot as holders Bayern Munich cruised into the quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over Lazio.
The striker coolly slotted home a first-half penalty after Leon Goretzka was pushed by Francesco Acerbi following a corner.
Substitute Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting made it 2-0 in the second half with a chipped finish from close range.
Lazio got one back through Marco Parolo late on, but Bayern sailed through with a 6-2 aggregate win.
The draw for the quarterfinals and semifinals comes up by noon Friday.
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