Real Madrid hold Chelsea as Puslic scores crucial away goal

Champions League: Real Madrid hold Chelsea to a 1-1 draw as Puslic scores crucial away goal in the semi-final first leg match (Videos)

Christian Pulišić becomes the first American to score in a Champions League semi-final.
(Photo credit: @ChampionsLeague)

Chelsea gave a professional display to earn a draw at Real Madrid and an important away goal to boost their chances of reaching the Champions League final.

Thomas Tuchel's side were in control for most of the night and could have scored more in the first half but were wasteful.

Chelsea looked sharper and smarter in the early moments and should have scored when goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois blocked the wasteful Timo Werner's straight shot from six yards out.

But the Blues took the lead in the 14th minute when Christian Pulisic calmly round Courtois before slotting home with an intelligent finish.

Real Madrid were sluggish but Karim Benzema, who saw his long shot go off the post, equalized with an acrobatic volley to beat Edouard Mendy after 29 minutes.

Chelsea dominated the second half but struggled to create the chance to score a crucial second.

Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea: Watch the full match highlights  

"We should have won the first half." - Thomas Tuchel speaking on Chelsea's performance vs Real Madrid

"We started the game very well, very aggressive with a lot of quality."

"We should have won the first half. We should have scored a minimum of one more."

Thomas Tuchel reflects on missed opportunities to take a lead back to London...

🎙 @TheDesKelly pic.twitter.com/yU1EiVP5ka

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 27, 2021

"It's always good to play against friends." - Eden Hazard on playing against Chelsea

"Now I feel in a better condition and the body is better, so I'm just happy I can play again." 🙌

"It's always good to play against friends." ❤️

Eden Hazard on facing Chelsea for the first time since departing for Real Madrid... pic.twitter.com/WH48BBQ3nq

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 27, 2021

Some stats after Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea (Champions League semi-final first leg)

No Premier League player has missed more Big Chances in league and European competition this season than Timo Werner:

◎ 29 Big Chances
◉ 21 missed
◎ 8 scored

Another huge chance tonight. #UCL pic.twitter.com/ovzyM1kFdZ

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 27, 2021

Éder Militão made more successful tackles (7) than any other player on the pitch during Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea.

And he made more interceptions (3) than any team-mate. #UCL pic.twitter.com/1vixXSJ2q4

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 27, 2021

Christian Pulisic vs. Real Madrid:

◉ Most duels won (13)
◉ Most fouls won (6)
◉ Most chances created (3)
◎ 2nd-most take-ons completed (5)

Remember, he came off after 65 minutes. 👏 pic.twitter.com/ScbY6VpRGi

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 27, 2021

N'Golo Kanté contested more duels (21) and completed more take-ons (6) than any other player on the pitch during Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea.@cesc4official knows he always turns up. 😤 pic.twitter.com/C8LY2CqR1n

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 27, 2021

Real Madrid managed just 1⃣ shot on target against Chelsea tonight. Since 2003-04, the only time they have had fewer in a @ChampionsLeague game was against Thomas Tuchel's Paris Saint-Germain, in September 2019, when they failed to have a single shot on target. pic.twitter.com/wkyJ2QjWNj

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) April 27, 2021

5 - Thomas Tuchel has faced Real Madrid more often without losing in the UEFA Champions League than against any other opponent (W1 D4) – in the competition’s history, he is the only manager to face Los Blancos as many as five times without ever losing. Elite. #UCL pic.twitter.com/QQGvAdKci0

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 27, 2021