A never-say-die performance from Rubin Kazan tested Chelsea Thursday as the Londoners secured their place in the Europa League semifinals, losing 3-2 in Moscow but going through 5-4 on aggregate, RIA Novosti reports. Chelsea, cheered on by a strong contingent of fans braving chilly conditions at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, entered the tie with a 3-1 lead from Stamford Bridge last week, but found it hard going after a strong start.
The Champions League holders strengthened their position within five minutes of kickoff as Frank Lampard’s long pass caught out Rubin goalkeeper Sergei Ryzhikov. He raced to claim the pass, but was far too slow as Fernando Torres lobbed the ball over his head from 25 yards. Rubin equalized just after the break with a powerful header from Ivan Marcano. The goal came when Gokdeniz Karadeniz’s corner was cleared to Pablo Orbaiz, who swung in a deep cross that his fellow Spaniard headed home.
Chelsea restored order five minutes later when Victor Moses parted a sea of red Rubin shirts, helped by Ramires in a neat one-two, to score with a lofted shot from the edge of the box, echoing his goal in the first leg.
That goal left Rubin needing to score four more to give themselves a chance at progressing, but the Russians refused to give up, with Karadeniz getting his name on the score sheet after heading in an Alan Kasaev cross.
Rubin went ahead on the night when Cesar Azpilicueta pushed over Alexander Ryazantsev in the penalty area to concede a penalty. Bibras Natkho stepped up to score with a shot down the middle, his second of the tie after scoring another penalty at Stamford Bridge.
Russkiy Mir Foundation Information Service
