Bayern Munich 4-1 Chelsea: Robert Lewandowski dumps Blues out of the Champions League 7-1 on aggregate

AP
AP

Chelsea have been knocked out of the Champions League after a phenomenal display from Robert Lewandowski inspired Bayern Munich to a 4-1 victory at the Allianz Arena.

The Bavarian giants were looking to put the tie to bed after a resounding 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge in the first leg back in February, with Lewandowski keen to add to his 11 goals in the competition.

With an array of injuries and suspensions, Frank Lampard opted to hand a start to Tammy Abraham over Olivier Giroud to lead the line, while Callum Hudson-Odoi started a game for the first time since February.

The hosts hadn't played a competitive match for five weeks since the conclusion of the Bundesliga campaign, but there were no signs of rust in this well-oiled machine.

Indeed, Hansi Flick's side took a stronghold on possession in the first quarter of an hour, with Chelsea forced to defend deep and sit back on awe as the German champions played football of the highest order.

It didn't take long for Chelsea's defence to be breached either. Thiago Alcantara split the Blues' backline in half with a through ball to Lewandowski, who rounded Willy Caballero and went down under the challenge. Referee Ovidiu Hategan had initially blown up for offside, but VAR showed the Polish striker was level with Emerson - and a penalty was awarded.

Up stepped Lewandowski, who gave Caballero the eyes before nestling his spot-kick as far into the corner as geometrically possible. With it, the 31-year-old bagged his 53rd goal of the season in all competitions.

Bayern were showing no mercy whatsoever, with Lewandowski and Thomas Muller both going close to adding a second as Chelsea struggled to contain the relentless attacking quartet.

But when the second goal went in, Chelsea only had themselves to blame. Mateo Kovacic was caught dwelling on the ball amid the intense pressing from Bayern and suddenly it was two on two. Lewandowski delayed the pass before finding Ivan Perisic, who slotted home with consummate ease.

That effectively ended Chelsea's extremely faint hopes of a second-leg comeback, but it didn't dampen their spirit. Hudson-Odoi thought he had grabbed a consolation with a placed effort from 20 yards, but VAR found Abraham was offside in the build-up.

Bayern looked capable of adding a third throughout the half but Chelsea did finally get their goal a minute before the break. Emerson's low cross was spilled by Manuel Neuer and Abraham couldn't miss from three yards out.

The visitors came out after the interval attacking with purpose as Mason Mount stung the hands of Neuer before a last-ditch challenge from David Alaba denied Ross Barkley.

But Chelsea's vulnerability at the back was palpable and only Kurt Zouma's heroic block denied Alphonso Davies a deserved goal after another impressive display.

The tempo of the match died down somewhat as Bayern made a host of substitutions. But it didn't stop the Bavarian giants from adding to their lead, with Lewandowski the architect as he crossed to substitute Corentin Tolisso, who had acres of space to finish past Caballero.

It soon got worse and Lewandowski's ruthless finishing paid off for Bayern once more, heading home into the far corner from Alvaro Odriozola's cross to compound Chelsea's miserable night at the back.

The European journey ends with a whimper for Lampard's young side, but they looked powerless to avoid defeat to a Bayern side who look destined for glory in Lisbon.

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