Zenit 3-3 Chelsea: Despite a Brilliant Timo Werner brace, Chelsea “CONCEDES CRAZY LATE GOAL” to finish Runners-Up in Group H:
Timo Werner gave Chelsea the perfect start as he tapped the ball into the empty net. Soon after the Werner goal, sloppy marking cost Chelsea dearly in the first half as on-loan midfielder Saul Niguez’s panicked clearance and rookie Malang Sarr’s slipshod marking gifted Zenit an equaliser in the 38th minute.
Three minutes after that Andreas Christensen, nutmegged for a goal at West Ham on Saturday, was caught in two minds which allowed Sardar Asmoun a perfect opportunity to make it 2-1 after rounding stand-in Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Romelu Lukaku’s first goal since spending five weeks out with an ankle injury pulled it level once more in the second half and Werner looked to have won it with a classy solo goal five minutes from time.
Yet another lapse in focus saw the Russians snatch a gutsy draw and deny Chelsea the luxury of first place in Group H by blasting home the third equaliser of the game deep into stoppage time.
Spoils shared tonight. ⏱#ZenChe | #UCL pic.twitter.com/aIEP6tiMoh
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 8, 2021
Key Moments and Match Recap:
Starting Lineups:
Zenit St Petersburg starting lineup:
Kerzhakov, Karavayev, Lovren, Santos, Rakitskyi, Barrios, Kuzyaev, Wendel, Malcom, Claudinho, Azmoun
📋 Our starting XI to take on @ChelseaFC! #ZENCHE #UCL pic.twitter.com/AYUfZbqIEb
— FC Zenit in English✨ (@fczenit_en) December 8, 2021
Chelsea starting lineup:
Mendy; Christensen, Sarr, Azpilicueta, Oodi, Barkley, Saul, James, Mount, Werner, Lukaku
Your Chelsea side tonight! 👊@ParimatchGlobal | #ZenChe pic.twitter.com/Ug1UhLgYWv
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 8, 2021
Goaalll 2’ Zenit 0-1 Chelsea: (Werner)
Timo Wener puts Chelsea ahead after some sloppy defending from the hosts!! The German taps the ball in form close range, as Christensen’s flick finds him free at the back post. Assist: Andreas Christensen
Timo Werner goal in the champions league! pic.twitter.com/f7z1BsN5CU
— CFC TJ (@EHazardFC) December 8, 2021
26′ Back-to-Back Big Chances for the Russian
Chelsea build well but Mount’s ball in towards Lukaku is cut out. Zenit counter and find acres of space behind the backline. Malcom’s 1-v-1 with Kepa, who’s out quickly to make the save with his leg! Looked a certain goal. Claudinho causing Chelsea big problems
27′ Zenit come again, with a big ball down the left behind the defense. In comes the cross but Azmoun puts it wide of the near post.
34‘ Big save from Kerzhakov, the Zenit goalie brilliantly denies Mason Mount
Goaalll 38’ Zenit 1-1 Chelsea: (Claudinho)
After being much the better side, Zenit finally get their equalizer, Claudinho’s in acres of space to steer the ball past Kepa. Sarr kept him onside. 1-1, and it’s been coming. Assist: Santos
#ZenChe
Zenit 1-1 Chelsea | GOAL! Claudinho pic.twitter.com/CXLKMyPXEo— FAST GOALS (@IFAST29) December 8, 2021
Goaalll 41’ Zenit 2-1 Chelsea: (Azmoun)
Barkley loses the ball in the middle, and Zenit quickly find Azmoun, in behind Christensen with a through ball. Azmoun takes the ball around Kepa and finishes brilliantly. He looked just offside in live time but after confirmation with VAR he was deemed onside. Assist: Malcom.
GOAL: 41′ Zenit 2-1 Chelsea (Sardar Azmoun)#UCL #CFC #ZENCHE
Follow for more goals @ronaldmorgan_ pic.twitter.com/k1ZPcf84DU
— Ronald Morgan (@ronaldmorgan_) December 8, 2021
45′ 1st Half ends
Chelsea have failed to keep a clean sheet in 4 consecutive matches; conceding 5 goals in their last 2.
Not quite as solid at the back as they’d expect to be. 🔓 pic.twitter.com/i5TpeZAswO
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 8, 2021
2nd Half Begins:
Goaalll 62’ Zenit 2-2 Chelsea: (Lukaku)
Amazing interplay between the Blues down the right wing, Werner plays a brilliant 1-2 and then finds Lukaku for an easy tap-in. Goalkeeper claims offside, but Lukaku was behind the ball. Assist: Werner
Chelsea goal 2-2! Werner brilliant assist, and good Lukaku finish pic.twitter.com/tyG7JoOY2Z
— CFC TJ (@EHazardFC) December 8, 2021
Goaalll 84’ Zenit 2-3 Chelsea: (Werner)
Timo Werner finishes expertly after being played in by Ziyech in the box following a neat one-two between the Moroccan and Pulisic. The German controls the ball superbly, shifts it out of his feet and fires low and hard past Kerzhakov. Goal Given after consultation with VAR. Assist: Hakim Ziyech
Timo Werner’s goal! (2-3)
Top of the group! #UCL pic.twitter.com/3FGla4Kg4Q
— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) December 8, 2021
Goaalll 95’ Zenit 3-3 Chelsea: (Ozdoyev)
LATE DRAMA IN THE GAME! A cross in from the left towards Dzyuba is headed clear by Sarr, but only as far as the edge of the box. It bounces up perfectly for Ozdoev, who comes steaming on to it. The substitute makes perfect contact with the ball as it bounces up, sending an effort screaming past Kepa and into the top corner!!!!
GOAL: 90+4′ Zenit 3-3 Chelsea (Magomed Ozdoev)#UCL #CFC #ZENCHE
Follow for more goals @ronaldmorgan_ pic.twitter.com/fSIpGlGzC4
— Ronald Morgan (@ronaldmorgan_) December 8, 2021
96′ Match Ends
As a consequence of finishing 2nd in the group Chelsea would have to face some heavyweights including the likes of, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Ajax and winner of Group G. The Round-of-16 draw has been scheduled to take place on the 13th of this month at 4:30 PM IST.
Zenit 3-3 Chelsea: Despite a Brilliant Timo Werner brace, Chelsea “CONCEDES CRAZY LATE GOAL” to finish Runners-Up in Group H
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