The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Ibrahimovic finally seals Chelsea’s fate
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Swedish star nets the goal that kills off hopes of Hiddink’s side
Zlatan Ibrahimovic sent Chelsea tumbling out of the Champions League last night as Paris St Germain claimed a 2-1 last-16 second-leg win at Stamford Bridge.
Diego Costa had looked like being the night’s hero after an all-action display and cancelling out Adrien Rabiot’s opener, set up by an inch-perfect cross from the Swedish striker.
But Costa was substituted after an hour due to injury and Ibrahimovic struck seven minutes later to secure a 4-2 aggregate success.
Ibrahimovic, on the eve of the tie, had denied seeking revenge after 12 months ago being sent off at Stamford Bridge, but had vowed he was better than ever as he continues to chase the triumph in this competition which has proved elusive in his illustrious career so far.
And as he impressed, PSG duly advanced to a fourth straight Champions League quarter-final and Chelsea were left to contemplate the probability of being absent from the competition next season.
Manager Guus Hiddink said of Chelsea’s display: “I think when we go through the game, we started with too much respect in the first 10 minutes and they were dominating.
“They’re a good team, it’s very difficult to play them.”
He said of Costa: “He wasn’t totally fit, but he desperately wanted to play.”
Hiddink said Costa’s injury was to his hip.
“We’ll see tomorrow,” he added on BT Sport. “I hope it will not be long-term for Diego. I must pay my respect to him because he desperately wanted to play in this very good game.”
Chelsea’s Dutch boss acknowledged Paris St Germain’s class, and their greater strength in depth.
“You see a bit of difference between two teams, when they have to make changes they have (Edinson) Cavani and other big players coming in,” he added. Ibrahimovic enjoyed the success. “We did a good game, we did a very stable game. We had a lot of patience in our possession,” he told BT Sport.
“When we had a chance to strike we were creating the chances. We scored two goals and had more chances but it was enough to win the game.
“Where we end up we don’t know. We’re happy at the moment but we’re not satisfied, so hopefully we can continue.”
Benfica reached the quarter-finals with a 3-1 aggregate win over Zenit St Petersburg.
Hulk’s second half header wiped out the Portuguese side’s first-leg advantage but Nicolas Gaitan nodded in the equaliser on the night after keeper Yuri Lodygin pushed a shot on to the bar.
Talisca wrapped up the tie with a late drive as Benfica joined PSG, Real Madrid and Wolfsburg in the last eight.