By Eben Enasco
Chelsea exited the Champions League with a humbling 4-0 aggregate loss to holders Real Madrid as Rodrygo’s Double condemned the Blues to a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
Frank Lampard’s side needed to overturn a two-goal deficit from the first leg to have any hope of salvaging silverware from a stormy season, but Rodrygo’s opener scored from close range following a rapid Madrid counter 58, effectively ending the tie as a contest.
The Brazilian then added his second with another simple finish after Federico Valverde had danced through Chelsea’s static defense in the 80th minute of play, with the goal silencing Stamford Bridge, but underlining Madrid’s superiority and setting up a potential semi-final against Manchester City, who hold a 3-0 first-leg lead over Bayern Munich.
In another match of the night, Napoli, who welcomed back Victor Osimhen from injury on time for the game, saw a penalty for themselves saved as Mike Maignan denied Khvicha Kvaratskhelia with ten minutes to go before Victor Osimhen headed in a late consolation.
Olivier Giroud also missed a penalty and then scored the crucial goal to send AC Milan into their first Champions League semi-final in 16 years, by beating Napoli 2-1 on aggregate.
Milan will now turn their attentions to a potential semi-final against city rivals Inter, who are 2-0 up ahead of their home Champions League quarter-final second leg with Benfica on Wednesday night.
