Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League final four after a 2-0 win over 10-man Chelsea in the first leg of their quarter-final.

Karim Benzema’s first-half tap-in put the holders ahead at the Santiago Bernabeu before Marco Asensio doubled their lead with just over a quarter-hour remaining.

A straight red card for Ben Chilwell for tripping Rodrygo in the middle of the game added to Frank Lampard’s side’s difficult trip to Spain.

Read Also:UCL:Kante Returns As Real Madrid, Chelsea Confirms Starting XI

Former Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti and his Los Blancos team will wish they had more to show, but they will still head to Stamford Bridge with a healthy lead for the return leg next week.

Within the first 15 minutes, Thibaut Courtois denied Joao Felix on the break, and Benzema forced a close-range stop from Kepa at the other end.

Within the first 15 minutes, Thibaut Courtois denied Joao Felix on the break, and Benzema forced a close-range stop from Kepa at the other end.

Benzema was there after 21 minutes, however, after Kepa parried Vinicius Junior’s shot into his path.

Madrid had chances to extend their lead before halftime, with David Alaba’s header almost squirming in five minutes before the break.

Chelsea’s chances of a comeback after the break looked bleak even before Kalidou Koulibaly hobbled off, and Chilwell’s dismissal only made matters worse.

In the 74th minute, Asensio finished off another fine European performance for Madrid by sweeping home a cut-back delivery.

Benzema could and perhaps should have made it three in injury time, but his looping header from nine yards out went over the crossbar.

But the hosts are now well on their way to extending their superb continental record, though Ancelotti will know better than most that his team’s battle is far from over.