Chelsea's hopes of advancing from the Champions League quarter-finals hang by a thread after Paris St Germain claimed a convincing 3-1 win at the Parc des Princes. Eden Hazard's penalty had given the Blues a potentially vital away goal, but Javier Pastore's brilliant stoppage-time solo goal, added to Ezequiel Lavezzi's opener and a David Luiz own goal, saw PSG take a two-goal advantage into next week's second leg at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea, the 2012 European champions, were looking to book their place in a seventh semi-final in 11 campaigns but started without a recognised striker. With Samuel Eto'o injured, Jose Mourinho selected Andre Schurrle as a 'false nine', appearing to finally lose patience with Fernando Torres. PSG, unbeaten in their previous 28 European home games, began with a bang and took a fourth-minute lead when one of the three strikers Mourinho had highlighted could be the difference in the contest struck a fine half-volley. It was Lavezzi - rather than Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Edinson Cavani - who fired into the roof of the net after a poor headed clearance from John Terry. Chelsea equalised before the interval when Hazard - courted by PSG - converted a penalty after Oscar was fouled by Thiago Silva. Hazard also hit the post before half-time and PSG were denied a spot-kick when Cavani turmbled under Gary Cahill's aerial challenge. Torres replaced Schurrle after 60 minutes, but no sooner had he joined the action than Chelsea were behind again as Lavezzi's free-kick was swung in menacingly and bundled into the net by David Luiz.
Ibrahimovic, still chasing a first Champions League triumph, departed clutching his right hamstring with more than 20 minutes remaining - but Pastore ensured the night and potentially the tie would end in PSG's favour, beating Petr Cech at his near post after a mazy run.
Real Madrid's bid for a record 10th European Cup title moved another step closer as they recorded a convincing 3-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their quarter-final clash at the Bernabeu. Gareth Bale got things rolling with the opening goal inside three minutes and Isco added a second before Cristiano Ronaldo continued his stunning form in the competition with Madrid's third just before the hour. That saw Ronaldo equal the Champions League record of 14 goals in a season and made Madrid firm favourites to progress through and avenge last season's semi-final exit at the hands of Dortmund. Carlo Ancelotti's men could have added even more goals but found Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller in fine form, while the visitors failed to find the away goal which could have put a very different complexion on things for the return leg at the Westfalenstadion.
