UCL Round 16 Day 3 Wrap: Chelsea beat Lille; Villareal hold Juventus
Kai Havertz and Christian Pulišić were on target as Chelsea overcame LOSC 2-0 in this UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg.
Fresh from winning the FIFA Club World Cup a week ago, Chelsea started authoritatively and Kai Havertz could have had a hat-trick inside eight minutes. The German striker, who fired his first chance over then was denied by Leo Jardim, took his third opportunity with a downward header from Hakim Ziyech’s corner.
Jardim then saved from Marcos Alonso before the visitors established a foothold in the game, though they only had Edouard Mendy’s save from Benjamin André’s 36th-minute effort to show for their improvement before the break.
Thomas Tuchel’s men wrested control back after the interval and Zeki Çelik block’s from Alonso could only temporarily stem the tide. The second goal finally arrived in the 63rd minute thanks to a wonderful driving run through the centre from N’Golo Kanté, who then slipped in Christian Pulišić to place his finish inside the far post.
LOSC avoided further damage but Jocelyn Gourvennec will know his side will need to show more potency up front if they are to have any hope of turning the tide in the return on 16 March.
In Spain, Dušan Vlahović marked his much-anticipated Champions League debut with a goal after just 33 seconds for Juventus, but Daniel Parejo hit back in the second half to leave this round of 16 tie delicately poised.
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It took 33 seconds for Vlahović to silence the home crowd, as the 22-year-old Juventus striker lived up to his billing, expertly bringing a long ball under control, before squeezing it into Gerónimo Rulli’s far corner.
His goal has become the quickest goal ever from a starting debutant and also becoming the first player born in this century to score for Juventus in the Champions League knockout phase.
Villarreal appeared shaken, and when Giovani Lo Celso found the ball at his feet inside the Italians’ danger zone in the 13th minute, the Argentinian could only strike the post.
Unai Emery’s side began to recoup possession, as Massimiliano Allegri’s men set up to sit deep and fend off the hosts’ endeavours.
Arnaut Danjuma, who has deputised up front and scored a hat-trick at Granada on Saturday, had a clever backheel shot saved in the first half.
However, the black and white defensive bloackade was eventually breached, when in 66th minute Daniel Parejo sprung from deep to meet Étienne Capoue’s perfectly-weighted ball, to sweep home.
Villarreal, who have never lost a home game in the Champions League knockout stages, pushed for a winner but definitely missed injured Spain striker Gerard Moreno.
Juventus welcome Villarreal to Turin for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on March 16.
