In the early morning of March 8, Beijing time, the Champions League knockout round and the UEFA Europa League knockout round ended a number of matchups, Chelsea won 2-0 at home in the second leg of the Champions League 1/8 final, and eliminated Borussia Dortmund with a total score of 2-1. Benfica won the match 5-1 at home to knock out Club Brugge 7-1 on aggregate. Lazio were beaten 2-1 at home to AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final, and they still have a chance to turn around in the next leg.
Chelsea 2-0 Borussia Dortmund
Last weekend's league victory boosted the morale of the Blues, and against Borussia Dortmund in midweek, Chelsea finally played a long-lost momentum, showing a very oppressive attack up front, although the team did not dominate in possession, but their quick counter-attack repeatedly created a threat, Sterling opened the game with a single shot that was ruled offside, Kai Havertz volleyed into the post, Kovacic volleyed and kicked wide, Sterling single-handed push was saved after Havertz scored was ruled invalid, under the continuous attack, Chelsea finally scored by a blast from inside the Raheem Sterling penalty area just before half-time. Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, had a much less quality attack and was much less threatening, and Reus created a high-quality direct free-kick chance. In the second half, the Blues continued their attacking rhythm with Ben Chilwell setting in crosses and Kai Havertz scoring on two penaltys. The aggregate score was stepped up by Borussia Dortmund, Wolff and Juller back-to-back shots were held by the Blues, and Chelsea eventually won 2-0 at home to advance to the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 2-1 aggregate scoreline.
Benfica 5-1 Bruges
Benfica, who won 2-0 in the first leg, returned home and went on a tidal wave of attack, and in the first 70 seconds, Ramos set the ball up and down the bottom and inverted the ball, and Mario's heel shot was ruled offside. This was followed by Benfica's front-court siege, another penetration in the middle, another wing breakthrough, and successive good offensive opportunities, but Mario and Luiz had several shots that were out of standard. Benfica had seven shots on goal in the first 30 minutes, with just one on target. However, they quickly scored when Ramos drove in a cross from the left and Rafa Silva stopped the ball in the box and turned around and fired a shot from the instep. Ten minutes later, Mario provided an assist with a rib ball and Ramos crossed the box and volleyed through the crotch by Ramos. Benfica, who led by two goals, continued his high-pressure attack in the second half, with Ramos receiving a cross from inside the box and pushing into the near corner. Mario scored a penalty and Neres volleyed into the far corner of the box for Benfica to score the fifth goal of the game. In the final stage, Club Brugge's Meyer scored a face-saving goal, and Benfica advanced to the quarter-finals 5-1 at home and 7-1 on aggregate, reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in the team's history for two consecutive seasons.
Lazio 1-2 AZ
Against world No. 74 AZ WORLD NO. 25, LAZIO SHOWED THE QUALITY OF AN ESTABLISHED Serie A powerhouse in the opening period, and quickly scored with a cross from the left side of the zarkani penalty area, and pedro snatched a push to the spot. Alkmaar, whose average age is less than 24 years old in the starting line-up, quickly showed energy and momentum, taking advantage of Lazio's slight relaxation to play high-quality attacks on the left rib in succession, Menans used the wing to combine the attack to push the neutral post, and before half-time, they did the same, Karlsson's rib forward insert should pick a pass at the baseline and Pavlitchis snatched the spot to score. In the second half, Lazio still methodically organized the attack, but the visitors pressed intensively in the midfield, and soon the front steal was instigated to score, and Kirkez and Karlsson played beautiful passes to match the clashing defense line with a small angle push to score the score. Behind Lazio pressed hard and failed to threaten the away goal, with multiple shots failing to threaten the away goal, and in the end, Lazio were reversed at home 1-2, and the Serie A powerhouse paid the price for their underestimation.
Matchday 2 of the Champions League this week will also feature two teams in the quarter-finals: Bayern against Paris and Tottenham against Milan
In the early morning of March 9, Beijing time, the Champions League will usher in two key battles. Bayern played at home against Paris, the first leg Paris lost 0-1 at home to Bayern, can Messi and Mbappe lead the team to complete a big comeback away from home?
Another key matchup, Tottenham at home against AC Milan, Milan won the first leg by one goal at home, can Tottenham's return to home prevent Milan from qualifying?