(Football news) After winning the first leg 2-0, Chelsea defeated Lille by 2 goals to 1 in the 2nd leg to qualify for the UCL quarter finals with a 4-1 aggregate win. Although the tie seems like an easy win for Chelsea, it was in fact a very close contest that could have easily gone the other way. It was Chelsea's experience and accuracy that got them through.

The injured Renato Sanchez was a big miss for Lille but even without him the home side started well. They put Chelsea under a lot of pressure and were finally rewarded when Jorginho's handball resulted in a penalty which Burak Yilmaz converted. After that Chelsea got more control in the game and started having more possession of the ball. Jorginho redeemed himself by setting up Christian Pulisic for the equaliser just before half time. 

In the 2nd half, Lille were once again the better side attacking wise and almost scored when Xeka's bullet header hit the post. Chelsea put the game to bed in the 71st minute when Cesar Azpilicueta scored the winner from a brilliant cross by Mason Mount. The result could have been completely different if Chelsea had not scored in that crucial period right before the half time whistle. Lille came out with intent but in the end the defending champions were too good for them in terms of quality and composure.

Chelsea along with Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Villarreal, Bayern Munich and Benfica have made it to the quarter finals. Any team can be drawn against each other even if they were in the same group or in the same League unlike the Round of 16. The draw will take place on Friday, 18 March 2022.

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