Champions League quarter-finals:A second-half goal by Salomon Kalou handed Chelsea a 1-0 win over Benfica in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. The Londoners always appeared in control and Kalou grabbed the only goal in the 75th minute, tapping the ball in from close range after excellent work down the right by Fernando Torres and Ramires.
Kalou's goal vindicated the decision by interim coach Roberto Di Matteo to start the Ivory Coast forward in attack in place of England international Daniel Sturridge. Juan Mata had also gone close for Chelsea on the hour when he rounded keeper Artur Moraes but struck the post from an acute angle.
Mata then had a late chance to put the tie beyond Benfica's reach ahead of next week's second leg at Stamford Bridge. The Spanish playmaker was set free on the left with four minutes to go after substitute Sturridge sprinted away down the right but his tame left-footed chip went wastefully over the bar.
Defender Jardel had Benfica's best chance midway through the second half when his close-range header was acrobatically saved by Petr Cech. Chelsea's victory was their first away from home in this season's competition.
In tonight’s other quarter-final, Karim Benzema and Kaka scored late goals to give Real Madrid a convincing 3-0 win at APOEL Nicosia. The nine-time European champions dominated the match but APOEL, the first Cypriot side to reach the last 16, defended solidly to frustrate their Spanish opponents.
Benzema missed a golden opportunity to open the scoring late in the first half, the French striker inexplicably directing the ball over the bar from close range with the goal gaping. The arrival of Kaka as a substitute midway through the second half created the breakthrough, the Brazilian producing a superb cross from the left for Benzema to head powerfully home after 74 minutes.
Kaka slotted in the second goal from eight metres following a surging run down the left by his fellow substitute Marcelo and Benzema struck again in the last minute to put the La Liga leaders firmly on course for the semi-finals.
