Where was that Chelsea in the first leg? The Blues' attempts may have been in vain, but the team's efforts showed everything Chelsea wants the world to know they're about.
It was an incredible transformation from the scenes at Stamford Bridge less than a week ago. The Blues presented a fierce pressing front that relentless closed Real Madrid's stars down throughout the evening. Thomas Tuchel was plenty animated from the off, with just a hint of suspicion that he really fancied a comeback at the Bernabeu.
Mason Mount kicked things off with a stunning strike in the first half before Antonio Rudiger's header filled Chelsea with confidence in the second period. Marcos Alonso had Tuchel breathing a huge sigh of relief when he bagged a third before VAR ruled it out for handball.
READ MORE: Chelsea player ratings vs Real Madrid: James outstanding, Kante mistakes costly, Mount delivers
Los Blancos finally started to find their way into the game, with Karim Benzema starting to find chances, but it was Timo Werner who found the net next to really send Blues supporters into jubilation. Then disaster struck. Luka Modric produced the match pass to find Rodrygo, who pulled the home side back to 4-4 on aggregate and into extra-time.
Karim Benzema came back to torment Chelsea. His fourth goal over two legs and 38th of the season gave Carlo Ancelotti's side the lead once again- and was enough to separate the sides in the end. Heartbreaking stuff. We take a look at the moments you might have missed from the match below:
Thomas Tuchel's Ruben Loftus-Cheek expectations
It was clear Loftus-Cheek had an important role in Chelsea's set-up at the Bernabeu. He was floating between central midfield and the right-wing. He was tasked with delivering the ball into the box and helping to protect Reece James against the threat of Vinicius Junior and his supply chain Karim Benzema and Ferland Mendy.
He performed well overall, but Tuchel has very exacting demands. When the Cobham product's poor control let the ball go out of play, he was informed by the German of his standards. Loftus-Cheek was alone on the right byline but could not find his feet to make a second touch with the ball rolling out of play. The Chelsea boss could not contain himself, knowing how crucial possession in the Madrid half would be to sustain every ounce of pressure. Tuchel was left jumping in exasperation, circling on his spot as he released his frustration into the night sky.
Still booing
Chelsea's supporters were in outstanding form across two higher tiers in the Bernabeu. The noise they made ensured its presence on the pitch and on television screens around the globe. It was a height that looked to even dwarf where away fans are located at St James' Park, but the Chelsea faithful were left with plenty to cheer too.
It wasn't all cheering from the crowd, and one particular player got a very different response. Thibaut Courtois was met with boos aplenty from the travelling supporters, who were not perturbed by being fewer in number.
Mason Mount continues to rack up the stats
Mason Mount really set the tone at the Bernabeu and looked destined to score when he dispatched the rising ball into Real Madrid's net. It was a finish of the highest quality, and his assist for Rudiger from a corner took his tally to 11 goals and 14 assists for the season so far. Impressive stuff. That's nine contributions ahead of teammate Kai Havertz who lies second in the Blues squad.
It was a night to really quieten any remaining doubters as the academy star bagged his 20th goal across two seasons to join Tottenham's Harry Kane as the only English player to have recorded 20 goals and 20 assists since the start of last season, per Opta. Not bad at all.
Why Antonio Rudiger screamed at N'Golo Kante
Halfway through the second half, Chelsea had just had Alonso's goal ruled out. Real Madrid were piling on the pressure and came swarming forwards, on the verge of Edouard Mendy's goal. Rudiger had other ideas. The German goliath kept in stride and launched a last-ditch sliding tackle to claim the ball in an act that was worth a goal. Not to stop there, Rudiger was quickly up and directing his frustration in the direction of N'Golo Kante and other midfielders for leaving the backline exposed. His contract may be set to expire at the end of the season, but nobody can deny his commitment.
Extra time and still tinkering
There are few more astute than Tuchel. Even heading into the second half of extra time, the German coach was surrounded by his players in a huddle as he used the tactics board to really emphasise his point. Jorginho and Saul Niguez came on in place of Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The instructions didn't stop coming in the final 15 minutes as Chelsea pushed and pushed. They had opportunities but just couldn't take them in the end.
