Chelsea booked their place in the Europa Conference League semi-finals despite a disappointing defeat at home to Legia Warsaw in the second leg of their last-eight tie.
The Blues hit back through Marc Cucurella’s close-range finish after the Polish visitors had stunned Stamford Bridge with a Tomas Pekhart penalty for the 10th-minute opener.
But Enzo Maresca’s men had no answer following Legia’s second from French defender Steve Kapuadi in the 53rd minute.
However, their 3-0 win in the first leg in Poland was enough to send Chelsea into a last-four meeting with Swedish side Djurgarden, who claimed a 4-1 extra-time victory at Rapid Vienna, who had two players sent off as they went out 4-2 on aggregate.
Winning Europe’s third-tier competition will guarantee them a place in the Europa League next season, but Chelsea could still make the Champions League if they finish in the Premier League’s top five.
Keeper Filip Jorgensen, starting ahead of Robert Sanchez, brought down Pekhart for the spot-kick and then allowed the former Southampton forward’s penalty to slip through his gloves having dived the right way.
The 1,021-strong Legia support took their shirts off in celebration at the away end after the surprise lead, but the hosts responded with a 33rd-minute leveller.
Jadon Sancho, who had set up both of Noni Madueke’s goals in the first leg, was once again the architect for Chelsea as his low cross was turned home by left-back Cucurella.
The Spaniard found the back of the net again before the break, but his goal was ruled out for offside by the video assistant referee (VAR) this time.
However, the hosts failed to capitalise on their second-half momentum as Legia restored their one-goal advantage on the night from a close-range Kapuadi header.
Substitutes Madueke and Tyrique George went close in quick succession, before the latter had a goal disallowed for offside as Chelsea advanced despite their loss.
(BBC Sports)
