Key Takeaways:
- Chelsea progressed to the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a 3:1 victory over Cardiff City on December 16, 2025
- Alejandro Garnacho scored twice as a substitute, including the decisive goal in second-half stoppage time
- The London club became the first team to book a place in the last four, with semi-final ties to take place over two legs at the start of 2026
Match Analysis
Chelsea secured their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2015, coming from behind to defeat Cardiff City 3:1 away at the Cardiff City Stadium. The visitors advanced thanks to significant contributions from substitutes, with Alejandro Garnacho netting twice and Pedro Neto finding the target with a late decisive strike.
Although the Welsh hosts opened the brighter of the two teams, with Callum Robinson heading the first effort on target, chances in the opening phase were missed by both sides. Chelsea threatened through Tyrick George and Jamie Gittens, while Cardiff’s David Turnbull forced visiting goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen into a save inside the first 15 minutes.
Carabao Cup semi-finalists! 💫 pic.twitter.com/YgiVGaUCoj
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 16, 2025
The deadlock persisted into half-time, after a series of missed opportunities and solid stops from both goalkeepers. At the interval, Enzo Maresca introduced Alejandro Garnacho and João Pedro, soon to reshape the direction of the contest.
Second-Half Drama and Key Substitutions
Chelsea seized the initiative in the 58th minute when Garnacho converted a lightning counterattack, giving the London side the lead. Cardiff responded fifteen minutes from time as David Turnbull powered in a header from Perry Ng Jee’s pinpoint cross, levelling the score at 1:1. Cardiff’s hope was short-lived, however, as Pedro Neto, who had entered the pitch for the final half-hour, struck decisively in the 82nd minute to restore Chelsea’s advantage.
João Pedro missed two late opportunities to put the result beyond doubt, before finally providing the assist for Garnacho in stoppage time. The Argentine’s clinical finish into the bottom corner in the 90’+4′ minute secured Chelsea’s 3:1 victory.
Team Selection and Tactical Decisions
Chelsea fielded a markedly altered lineup from the league win over Everton (2:0) earlier in the week. Enzo Maresca rotated his squad extensively, handing a start to Filip Jorgensen in goal, while Malo Gusto and Cole Palmer sat out from the beginning – Palmer was omitted from the travelling party and Gusto was named among the substitutes. Both Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho began on the bench, entering after half-time to orchestrate the win.
Cardiff City, fresh off a 4:3 league victory against Doncaster, also reshuffled the side, with manager Brian Barry-Murphy opting to rest defenders Ronan Kpakio and William Fish. Dylan Lawlor and Perry Ng Jee took their places in defence, while David Turnbull replaced Alex Robertson in midfield, and Callum Robinson led the line in place of Youssef Saleh.
Statistical Overview and Route to the Semi-Final
Chelsea’s progression marked only the third opponent they have ousted in this season’s Carabao Cup, having previously disposed of Lincoln (2:1) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (4:3). Cardiff City, by contrast, embarked on a much longer journey, defeating four teams – Swindon (2:1), Cheltenham (3:0), Burnley (2:1), and Wrexham (2:1) – after starting their campaign from the opening round due to their third-division status.
With this result, Cardiff’s winless run against Chelsea now stretches over six decades, their last successes coming in 1961 with 5:2 and 3:2 victories during their shared tenure in the second tier.
| Cardiff City | 1:3 | Chelsea |
|---|---|---|
| 0:1 Alejandro Garnacho (58′) | ||
| 1:1 David Turnbull (75′) | ||
| 1:2 Pedro Neto (82′) | ||
| 1:3 Alejandro Garnacho (90’+4′) |
Line-Ups and Match Details
Cardiff City: 13. Nathan Trott, 38. Perry Ng Jee, 48. Dylan Lawlor, 12. Callum Chambers, 3. Joel Bagan, 6. Ryan Wintle, 14. David Turnbull, 27. Joel Colwill, 39. Isaac Davies, 45. Chiam Rashford, 47. Isaac Davies
Manager: Brian Barry-Murphy
Chelsea: 12. Filip Jorgensen, Josh Acheampong, 4. Tosin Adarabioyo, 5. Tosin Adarabioyo, 21. Jorrel Hato, 25. Moisés Caicedo, 17. Andrey Santos, 32. Tyrick George, 40. Facundo Buonanotte, 11. Jamie Gittens, 38. Marc Guiu
Manager: Enzo Maresca
K.O.: December 16, 2025 (Tuesday) | 22:00 local time
Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff (Wales)
Referee: Tony Harrington
Upcoming Fixtures and Tournament Outlook
With their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals now secured, Chelsea await the draw for the two-legged last-four fixtures, which are set to be played at the start of 2026. The remaining quarter-finals are scheduled for December 17, with Manchester City taking on Brentford and Newcastle meeting Fulham, while Arsenal will host Crystal Palace in the last tie on December 23. The draw for the semi-final stage will follow after the completion of all quarter-final matches.
