Chelsea Reach Champions League Semis Despite Defeat To Porto

A late Taremi goal ensured Thomas Tuchel tasted his second defeat as Chelsea manager but their last week magic saw them through. In what looked like an assured draw in Seville, Taremi decided not to be a part of it and breached the Blues defense though it has no value after all.

Porto who succumbed to a 2 – 0 defeat thanks to Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell strikes in both halves of their first leg encounter, came prepared for a fight and did so gallantly till the last whistle. They may have been the second best team in the first leg but today, they were in their own class and played fearlessly for almost the entire 90 minutes.

Neither side could muster a shot on target in the first 45 minutes with Porto edging out with a larger share of the ball. The closest to breaking the duck in the entire first half was Corona who benefited from a misjudged clearance by Chilwell to go one-on-one with Mendy only for him to fire over the bar and into the stands.

Chelsea returned after recess renewed and got well into the game. Their renewed dominance almost resulted in a goal after some neat play started from Kante through Mount and Chilwell landed the final ball at Pulisic’s feet. The American however was slow in steadying himself to pick out a shot on target.

The English side maintained its pressure on their Portuguese counterparts pegging them back in their own half. A chance fell to Mount and he set himself up and fired a shot at the near post in the 57th minute only for Manafa to throw himself across to save his side from going down.

Taremi came in for Porto and would go on the notch the consolatory winner for his side after linking up well with another substitute Nanu. Porto made a host of other changes including bringing off Jesus Corona for Luiz Diaz for the final quarter of the game.

Two minutes into added time, Christian Pulisic forced Marchesin and Mbemba to combine to make a save. But the drama of the game would come soon after at the Blues end as Porto caught them dozing.

Nanu had space at the right side and he sent in a great cross to the far post where Taremi was lurking by to attack and expertly did so to win the match for his side. His spectacular overhead kick turned the Chelsea defenders and Mendy to spectators as they watched the ball loop into the far top corner.

In the end, it is Chelsea 0- 1 Porto and Porto, of course, won the match but it was a little late and a little less. Porto earned the victory in one leg but Chelsea earned the victory in two and thus march on to the semis to face either Real Madrid or Liverpool.

Chelsea will now turn their attention to a domestic cup action with sight set on silverware when they take on Premier League leaders Manchester City in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on Saturday. Porto meanwhile will turn their attention to league football and will travel to take on Nacional also on Saturday.

By: Clifford Adumbire | myactiveonline.com

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