The rivalry between Real Madrid and Chelsea is one of the most iconic in football. These two teams have a long history of playing against each other, and their matches are always highly anticipated by fans all around the world. Here is a look at the football history between Real Madrid and Chelsea.
The first time these two teams met was in the semi-finals of the European Cup in 1971-72. Real Madrid were the favourites going into the tie, but Chelsea managed to stun them with a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge in the first leg. The second leg in Madrid was a tense affair, and Real Madrid managed to win 2-0 to progress to the final. However, Chelsea’s performance in the first leg remains one of the most memorable moments in the club’s history.
The next time these two teams met was in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 1998. Real Madrid were once again the favourites, but Chelsea put in a spirited performance to win the tie 5-3 on aggregate. The first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu ended in a 1-1 draw, with Tore Andre Flo scoring for Chelsea. Flo would go on to score a hat-trick in the second leg at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea won 4-1 to progress to the semi-finals. This was a huge upset, as Real Madrid had been expected to win the competition that year.
The two teams did not play against each other again until the 2012 UEFA Champions League semi-finals. This time, it was Chelsea who were the underdogs, as they faced a star-studded Real Madrid side that included Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, and Mesut Ozil. The first leg at the Bernabeu ended in a 2-1 victory for Real Madrid, with Fernando Torres scoring a crucial goal for Chelsea. The second leg at Stamford Bridge was a tense affair, with both teams creating numerous chances to score. However, Chelsea managed to hold on for a 3-1 aggregate victory, thanks to goals from Ramires and Didier Drogba. This set up a final against Bayern Munich, which Chelsea went on to win on penalties to claim their first ever Champions League trophy.
These three matches represent the most memorable moments in the football history between Real Madrid and Chelsea. While they have only played against each other a handful of times, their matches have always been full of drama and excitement. With both teams still competing at the highest level, it is likely that we will see many more memorable clashes between these two footballing giants in the years to come.