Rennes 1-2 Chelsea: Giroud heads Chelsea into the knockout round of UCL

Olivier Giroud-Chelsea

Olivier Giroud heads Chelsea into the knockout round of the UEFA Champions League

Chelsea managed to scrape a 2-1 win over Rennes in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) earlier tonight.

Callum Hudson-Odoi gave the Blues their lead on the 22nd minute and the home side struggled to get back into the game for a long time.

Chelsea were comfortably leading Group E thanks to Hudson-Odoi’s goal and at one point it seemed like they had sealed all three points.

However, the West Londoners missed numerous chances to increase their lead and they were made to pay when Serhou Guirassy equalized for the French outfit on the 85th minute.

It was Olivier Giroud who saved the blushes for the Premier League side with his goal deep into injury time.

The French international has been a squad option for Frank Lampard this season but he managed to showcase his quality and importance to the side with a well taken goal.

It will be interesting to see if Giroud can hold down a regular starting berth in the coming weeks now. Recently, his agent explained his frustration due to the lack of playing time at Stamford Bridge. Giroud has been a quality player for club and country for a while now and there is no doubt that he deserves to play more often. 

The win tonight sealed Chelsea’s passage to the knockout rounds of the Champions League and the Blues are now unbeaten in the last 13 matches in all competitions.