Chelsea vs FC Porto. UEFA Champions League Quarter Final.
Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
2-1
Report as Chelsea hold off Porto to reach their first Champions League semi-final since 2014; Mehdi Taremi's brilliant overhead kick causes late scare in Seville; Chelsea will play Real Madrid or Liverpool
Wednesday 14 April 2021 09:36, UK
Chelsea reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in seven years despite Mehdi Taremi's sublime overhead kick giving them a late scare in a 1-0 defeat by Porto, going through 2-1 on aggregate.
Porto were intense in the first half, but lacking in quality in the final third as neither side registered a shot on target until the 66th minute, when Edouard Mendy did well to save and hold sub Taremi's weak header.
In their home leg, Chelsea were savvy and professional in equal measure as they kept Porto at arm's length, until the last minute of stoppage time when Taremi produced an incredible, acrobatic overhead kick.
But it was too little, too late, and Chelsea will now play either Liverpool or Real Madrid (Agg: 1-3) in the semi-finals on April 27/28 and May 4/5.
First legs: April 27/28 | Second legs: May 4/5
This was technically a home game for Chelsea, but the 'hosts' looked more like the away side in the first half, holding firm while attempting to break up Porto's play.
Porto, who had kept five clean sheets in their six group games, desperately needed another here to stay in with a chance, and although the break was on for Chelsea, neither side registered a shot on target in the first 45 minutes.
Porto were incredibly energetic, harrying Chelsea high up the pitch from the first minute, but their only half chance came when Mendy's poor kick out found Jesus Manuel Corona, whose shot was blocked by the alert Jorginho. Chelsea's job was half done at half-time.
The Portuguese side, who knocked out Juventus in the last 16 in dramatic fashion, burst out of the traps in the second half again, but Chelsea had a fine chance to extend their aggregate lead on the break as an unmarked Christian Pulisic failed to get a proper connection on Ben Chilwell's cut-back from 10 yards out.
Pulisic was brilliant for a side looking to slow the game down and take the sting out of Porto, winning 11 fouls, more than every other Chelsea player combined.
The first effort on target did not come until the 66th minute through Porto sub Taremi, but his weak header, unmarked from 12 yards out, was well held by Mendy down to his left.
Porto only began to throw the kitchen sink at Chelsea in the final moments, and they were given a glimmer of hope through Taremi's quite magnificent overhead kick from 12 yards, flying into the top corner past a rooted Mendy from Nanu's cross.
But the scare only lasted 60 seconds as Chelsea saw out the final stages, with Thomas Tuchel competing in the Champions League last four for the second straight season after being defeated in last year's final with PSG.
Operation Istanbul remains on course for Chelsea, who were business-like for the majority of the game in Seville, with outstanding performances from Antonio Rudiger, N'Golo Kante and Pulisic in particular.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel:
"I was still nervous because a goal can change anything. Even if it's a crazy goal, a deflection or a bicycle kick, it can happen all the time no matter how good your defence is.
"I can imagine both games were not the greatest to watch on the television, but it's very hard to play your best game against Porto.
"Today was the day to hang in, to show all the effort and intensity and team spirit that is needed. I think we deserved a clean sheet again, and this was the key, because when you work hard, sweat a lot, use your body, you cannot be nervous.
"We encouraged everybody to do this, to accept we play hard games like this every three days, and I am very happy because on the sideline it was a very intense, hard fight. A lot of hard work in secret was done, so I am very, very happy.
"It's a big step to be in the semi-final, it's a very, very big achievement. We are not used to being there, and once you are there, you play for the final, it's clear. We take every minute and we need every minute to learn and grow. You cannot improve without these experiences."
On Mateo Kovacic injury: "It was very sad yesterday in training, Kova had a little hamstring injury, which is sad because he is such an important player, a positive guy with a lot of experience. I think for sure out for the game against City as well."
Chelsea now play Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday at 5.30pm, before hosting Brighton in the Premier League on Tuesday at 8pm, live on Sky Sports Premier League.
