Chelsea confirmed its role as favorite in the Champions League by defeating Lille [Video]

Chelsea ratified their position as current champions of the Champions League on Tuesday by beating Lille of France with goals from Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic in the round of 16 of the competition.

Chelsea’s victory confirms the good moment of the group led by Thomas Tuchel, who comes from two consecutive victories in the Premier and now the victory at home in Europe.

However, contrary to what the pools predicted about a wide and open game in favor of the English, the match was close from the first minutes, with a tactical approach by the French that led the Portuguese Renato Sanches in midfield.

But Lille’s resistance did not last long and it was broken with a corner charged by Ziyech that Havertz combed to put the 1-0 on the scoreboard. The German headed down and left rival goalkeeper Léo Jardim without a chance.

Chelsea had several occasions in the following minutes through counterattacks led by Kante and Kovacic, but they could not finish; David and Bamba for Lille also responded without success.

For the second half, the teams renewed their energies and went out in search of new goals. Marcos Alonso tried it at 52′ and David had previously warned with a center that narrowly missed.

The negative note was that in less than five minutes Chelsea lost two of its figures due to injury; Kovacic and Ziyech left the field of play at 55 and 59′.

To the 62′ came the second for Chelsea through the tireless Kanté; The Frenchman covered a few 16 meters with the ball and gave it to Pulisic who defined with a dive before the goalkeeper came out.

Lille did not stop trying to reduce the difference with consecutive shots by Bamba that ended in a corner and a header by Botman that found Mendy well off.

The last 20 minutes were processed and now both Chelsea and Lille will seek to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Champions League next 16 March in France.