Substitute Edinson Cavani sinks Chelsea in the first leg
– Mikel Obi gifts Chelsea a valuable away goal
The first leg of the second round of the UEFA Champions League clash between Paris Saint Germaine and Chelsea has ended.
Ibrahimovic put the home side ahead in the 39th minute with a powerful strike from a freekick which was slightly deflected by Mikel Obi. The very determined Nigerian made it square in the 45th minute with a superb strike from close range.
Cavani came off the bench to seal the late winner for the home team. It ended PSG 2 – 1 Chelsea
Read our live coverage of the epic encounter below.
Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink has advised his players to improve their level of confidence when they take on the relentless Paris Saint-Germaine in the first leg of the crucial second round game of the UEFA Champions League.
PSG emerged winners over the ‘Blues’ last season on goals difference and Hiddink believes his team could progress to the quarter final stage this time around.
Team List:
PSG: Trapp, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva (c), David Luiz, Maxwell, Verratti, Thiago Motta, Matuidi, Moura, Ibrahimovic, Di Maria
Chelsea FC: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic (c), Baba Rahman; Fabregas, Mikel; Pedro, Willian, Hazard; Diego Costa.
90+3′ Referee blows the final whistle and it is not over yet as Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge with an away goal. It ended: PSG 2 – 1 Chelsea
90+2′ Pedro fires unto the side netting in what could be described as Chelsea last attack
90′ Ibrahimovic with another chance to put the game beyond ‘The Blues'; Courtois to the rescue yet again.
88′ Maxwell presses forward but great defending by Fabregas for another Chelsea counter.
86′ Diego Costa has been properly pocketed by PSG defence. The Brazilian hasn’t been spectacular in this game.
83′ Pastore wastes a glorious chance.
80′ Another change: Verratti and Matuidi are substituted for Rabiot, Pastore respectively.
78′ GOOOOAAAALLLL! Cavani slots the ball into the net through Courtois’ legs. What an astonishing goal. Great assist by Di Maria. The Argentine flicks the ball behind Chelsea defenders for the striker to hit target.
76′ Long pass to Oscar…..the Brazilian could not just beat the goalkeeper.
75′ Chelsea are looking dangerous, as they keep lurking around the goal area of the home side.
74′ The biggest threat to Chelsea has just been substituted. Lucas Moura comes off for Cavani.
73′ PSG have been the better side so far, but the scoreline is still even. 1 – 1
71′ Substitution: Hazard comes off for Oscar.
70′ Referee issues both Lucas Moura and David Luiz yellow card.
67′ Di Maria forces another Brazilian save by Courtois.
65′ Another great save by Ivanovic. First yellow card of the game goes to Pedro of Chelsea.
63′ The home side are so desperate to get another goal, but somehow Chelsea have been lucky. Moura’s shot was superbly blocked by Ivanovic.
61′ Moura with another powerful shot, Courtois reads it well. Good save by the Belgian.
58′ Di Maria sets free Maxwell on the flank, Courtois had to dash off his the goal line to clear the danger. Maxwell has been a constant threat for Chelsea this evening.
56′ Great through pass rips off the Chelsea defence, good interception by Cahill.
52′ Ibrahimovic finds space off Ivanovic, his shot blocked by the Chelsea goalkeeper.
50′ Di Maria with a drive from 30-yards out, Trapp parries the ball over the bar.
48′ Great one-two by Verratti and Matuidi, good clearance Mikel, as Willian moves with a counter, Costa shoots wide.
47′ Hard aerial challenge by Hazard on Verratti gifts the home-side a freekick
46′ Chelsea restart the game and surely, this would be an ‘epic’ second 45 minutes
Referee signals end of the first half. PSG 1 – 1 Chelsea
45′ GOOOOAAALLLLL! Mikel restores parity for Chelsea. The Nigerian powers the ball into the net from close range.
Mikel scores for Chelsea
Mikel slots the ball into the net
43′ PSG threaten again but Matuidi is stripped of the ball inside the box by Pedro
39′ GOOOOAAAAALLLL! Ibrahimovic fires a low-drive shot into the back of the net. There was a slight deflection by Mikel Obi. PSG 1 – 0 Chelsea
PSG vs Chelsea
Ibrahimovic celebrates his goal
38′ Paris Saint Germaine win a freekick in a dangerous position.
37′ Di Maria’s corner is perfectly taken by the Chelsea goalkeeper as ‘the blues’ launch another attack
35′ Lucas with a reverse pass to Verratti….solid defending by Chelsea.
34′ Ibrahimovic with a header, ball goes across the bar.
33′ This time it’s another infringement as Hazard goes down the turf. Freekick to Chelsea.
31′ Chelsea win a freekick in their own half. The Blues have settled into the game as Verratti fouls Fabregas for another freekick.
28′ The home team launch another attack, Cahill clears the danger
26′ The Blues are now settled into the game, Fabregas’ pass in to the PSG area couldn’t find any Chelsea man
23′ Trapp denies Costa a glorious chance. The Brazilian heads on target, but the goalkeeper parries the ball off the post to deny Chelsea the lead. What a save!
20′ Great team movement by the visitors as Mikel masterminds another attacking move for Chelsea, but Diego Costa could not manage to hold the ball through to him.
16′ Azpilicueta shows his experience as he takes the ball off Lucas Moura
14′ Chelsea try to launch an attack. Well defended by PSG
12′ An in-swinger through to Di Maria; Courtois to the rescue. The home side have been spectacular as they look promising for a goal anytime soon.
9′ Diego Costa tries to nutmeg Thiago Sylva…..great defending by the marker. Sylva expertly takes the ball off his compatriot.
6′ Lucas Moura takes out Mikel and fires a shot, ball rolls off target
4′ Verratti with a powerful shot; Courtois saves what would have been an early goal
2′ The home side with the early pressure through Matuidi, Azpulicueta with the clearance.
1′ We are under way here and what a cracker this might be. Can the ‘Blues’ revenge?