Garnacho double sends Chelsea into semi-finals

Chelsea booked their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a hard-fought 3–1 victory over Cardiff City at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Cardiff produced an energetic first-half performance and created the better opportunities, forcing Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen into several important saves. The visitors struggled to find their rhythm, and the match remained goalless at the interval.

Chelsea improved after the introduction of Alejandro Garnacho and João Pedro at half-time. Garnacho made an immediate impact, opening the scoring in the 57th minute with a composed finish into the far corner.

Cardiff responded strongly and equalised through David Turnbull’s diving header in the 75th minute, raising hopes of a cup upset.

However, Pedro Neto restored Chelsea’s advantage seven minutes later when his shot took a deflection before finding the net. Garnacho then completed the victory in stoppage time, finishing a quick counterattack to score his second of the match.

Cardiff pushed Chelsea throughout the contest, but the visitors’ quality from the bench proved decisive during the closing stages.

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Scorers:
Cardiff City: Turnbull 75’
Chelsea: Garnacho 57’, 90+3’; Neto 82’

Player of the Match: Alejandro Garnacho