Chelsea reach Champions League semi-finals: Records broken
Premier League side Chelsea reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League 2020-21 season despite losing their second leg clash against FC Porto. The Blues had taken a 2-0 cushion over Porto in the first leg and were comfortable in seeing the game out as Mehdi Taremi's late consolation goal wasn't enough. Here are the key records that were scripted.
Chelsea have reached the Champions League semi-finals for the eighth time. This is more than any other English side in the competition's history. Interestingly, Porto have been knocked out by an English team on each of the last three occasions they've reached the knockout rounds (Liverpool in 2017-18 and 2018-19).
Chelsea kept a disappointing Porto at bay, despite playing within themselves. The Portuguese outfit rarely tested keeper Edouard Mendy with their surprisingly cautious approach. Taremi's brilliant finish came right at the end for Porto, who were the second best side in the match.
This was Porto's second 'away' victory in the Champions League knockout stages (D6 L13), after their win at Deportivo in the 2003-04 semi-final. This was also Porto's first ever 'away' win against an English side in European competitio . The Portuguese side had failed to win any of their first 21 such games (D3 L18).
As per Opta, Mehdi Taremi's 93rd-minute strike was the latest Chelsea have conceded in a Champions League game (excluding extra-time) since April 2005 against Bayern Munich, when Mehmet Scholl scored in the 95th minute. Jorginho made eight tackles in this match, the most by a Chelsea player in a Champions League game since N'Golo Kanté against Barcelona in March 2018 (also 8).
🔵⚪️ What. A. Goal!
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 13, 2021
🇮🇷 Mehdi Taremi becomes the first Iranian to score in the Champions League quarter-finals 🔥#UCL pic.twitter.com/Tsnn7Jbkhr
