Ibrahimovic fashions PSG win over Chelsea

By replicating the first-leg triumph in the French capital last month, PSG eliminated Chelsea for the second successive season in the round of 16 but it is far more damaging for the London club this time. 

Languishing in 10th place in the Premier League after a feeble title defence, Chelsea will almost certainly be out of the Champions League next season for the first time since Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003.

Although Chelsea conceded in the 16th minute when Ibrahimovic’s cross was turned in by Adrien Rabiot, Diego Costa levelled 11 minutes later on his return from injury. But Costa was forced off on the hour and Chelsea’s hopes were deflated. 

Ibrahimovic tapped in his 50th Champions League goal seven minutes later after being set up by Angel Di Maria on a sparkling night for the winger. This was a dour final Champions League night at Stamford Bridge, which is to be rebuilt from 2017, forcing the 2012 European champions off the site until the next decade. 

The team requires a rebuilding job in the transfer market under Jose Mourinho’s permanent successor. Winger Eden Hazard booed as he was substituted injured in the second half, having once again failed to match last season’s player-of-theyear exploits. 

“Chelsea is now in a transition period ... to regain the loss terrain where Chelsea used to be,” Hiddink said. How Chelsea would relish the complete dominance of PSG. Sitting 23 points clear atop its league, the Qatar-owned French champions faced a rare test in west London.