Conference League: Chelsea reach Semis despite 2-1 loss to Legia

Chelsea secured their place in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League despite suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to Legia Warsaw in the second leg of their quarter-final tie. 

The match began poorly for Chelsea when Tomas Pekhart gave the Polish side an early lead with a penalty in the 10th minute. However, the Blues responded quickly, with Marc Cucurella scoring a close-range goal to level the score.

The game took a turn in the 53rd minute when Legia’s French defender Steve Kapuadi netted their second goal, putting Chelsea under pressure. Despite their best efforts, Chelsea could not recover from the setback.

Nonetheless, their 3-0 victory in the first leg in Poland proved decisive, sending them through to a semi-final clash against either Rapid Vienna or Djurgarden, whose match had gone into extra time.

Winning Europe’s third-tier competition will guarantee them a place in the Europa League next season, but Chelsea could still make the Champions League if they finish in the Premier League’s top five.

Keeper Filip Jorgensen, starting ahead of Robert Sanchez, brought down Pekhart for the spot-kick and then allowed the former Southampton forward’s penalty to slip through his gloves having dived the right way.

The 1,021-strong Legia support took their shirts off in celebration at the away end after the surprise lead, but the hosts responded with a 33rd-minute leveller.

Jadon Sancho, who had set up both of Noni Madueke’s goals in the first leg, was once again the architect for Chelsea as his low cross was turned home by left-back Cucurella.

The Spaniard found the back of the net again before the break, but his goal was ruled out for offside by the video assistant referee (VAR) this time.

However, the hosts failed to capitalise on their second-half momentum as Legia restored their one-goal advantage on the night from a close-range Kapuadi header.

Substitutes Madueke and Tyrique George went close in quick succession, before the latter had a goal disallowed for offside as Chelsea advanced despite their loss.