Chelsea ensured their steps to the last eight or quarter-finals of the 2022-2023 Champions League sweetly. In the first leg of the last 16 of the Champions League, Chelsea lost 0-1 at home to Borussia Dortmund. Their defeat was fully paid for in the second leg.
Yes, the Chelsea vs Dortmund match in the second leg of the last 16 of the Champions League at Stamford Bridge, Wednesday (8/3/2023) ended with a score of 2-0. That is, the Blues won 2-1 on aggregate. Raheem Sterling’s goals (43′) and Kai Havertz’s penalty (53′) determined the Blues’ steps to the quarter-finals of the Champions League this season.
Chelsea’s victory is linked to VAR (Video Assistant Referee) decisions, especially on penalty decisions. The Blues were awarded a penalty after VAR replays showed Dortmund defender Marius Wolf’s hand blocking Ben Chilwell’s shot inside the area.
Kai Havertz, who was appointed as the actual executor, failed because his shot hit the post. However, the referee decided to repeat the penalty kick. Kai Havertz took advantage of his second chance and helped Chelsea win 2-0.
The referee’s decision to repeat the penalty reaped heated discussion. Following are the penalty rules so the judge decided to repeat the spot kick in the Chelsea vs Dortmund match.
Penalty Rules
Quoted from the official website of the International Football Association (IFAB), there are several factors or reasons for repeating penalties. A penalty kick is retaken if any of the following situations occur:
- An attacking player encroached on the penalty area when the kick was taken and a goal was scored.
- Defending team players encroach on the penalty area while the penalty kick is not scored.
- Players of the attacking and defending teams encroach on the penalty area when the kicks are taken simultaneously.
- The goalkeeper violates the rules (leaving the goal line, touching part of the goal, interfering with the kicker) to prevent a goal from a penalty kick being scored.
If you look at the above rules and replays, Kai Haverts’ penalty kick is redone because of point number 2.
Blessings of Penalty Rules
The penalty drama in the Chelsea vs Dortmund match certainly benefited the Blues because it gave them the victory and the right to advance to the Champions League quarter-finals with an aggregate of 2-1. Another blessing is their record number of goals. For the first time this year, Chelsea have scored two goals in one match. Previously they were only able to make a maximum of one goal in 12 matches in 2023.
