It was matchday 3 in the Champion’s League round of 16 and we saw Chelsea win as Juventus were held. The Champion’s League has been kind to English clubs this season as all 3 who have played have recorded wins. And if Manchester United win on Wednesday, all 4 would have recorded wins. Incredible! English clubs seem to be coming into their own in this competition.
You would recall we had an all-English final last season. Could we be looking at another? Too early to call I presume. Well, this season’s Champion’s League has not failed us yet. And on matchday 3, we saw Chelsea win and Juventus held as they both played their first leg matches.
Chelsea vs Lille
Chelsea seized control of their Champions League last-16 tie with Lille, putting in a no-nonsense display as goals from Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic secured a 2-0 win in the first leg at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. Havertz had already missed two good chances by the time he rose to meet Hakim Ziyech’s corner unmarked to put the newly crowned World Champions in front after eight minutes. And although Lille, who were making it to the last 16 for the first time in 15 years, were impressive, Chelsea extended their advantage when Pulisic ran onto N’Golo Kante’s pass to beat Leo Jardim in the 63rd minute. Consequently, Chelsea can now head to France in 3 weeks feeling like they have one foot in the Quarter Final already.
Villareal vs Juventus
Free-scoring Dusan Vlahovic scored inside the first minute of his Champions League debut for Juventus. Insane, right? Vlahovic made his European bow for Juve after his £66.6 million January move from Fiorentina and needed just 33 seconds to put the visitors ahead in Spain. It’s the second-fastest goal ever for a Champions League debutant.
With clear cut chances few and far between, Dani Parejo earned a 1-1 draw for Villarreal in the first leg of their last-16 clash. Subsequently, Villareal looked more likely to score. They grew in confidence. Probed and probed the Juve defence. But there was to be no other breakthrough. The tie ended 1-1, leaving things finely poised for the second leg in Turin in three weeks time.
So, on matchday 3, Chelsea win and Juventus are held. The Champions League continues today, with Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, Benfica and Ajax all in action. That’s where we come in. Make your Cable TV payments, pay electricity bills, buy airtime and data easily with VTpass so you don’t miss out on any of the beautiful action.