Chelsea Overcome Cardiff City to Reach Carabao Cup Semi-Finals

Blues Battle Through to Last Four

Chelsea reached the semifinals of the Carabao Cup with a 3-1 victory at Cardiff City on December 16, 2025. The match, played at the Cardiff City Stadium, proved more challenging than expected as the Premier League giants struggled to break down their League One opponents for much of the encounter.

Garnacho and Neto Turn the Tide

Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto came off the bench to pull Chelsea out of trouble to win 3-1 at Cardiff and qualify for the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. David Turnbull headed hosts level with 15 minutes to go but Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho delivered late goals, ensuring Enzo Maresca’s side avoided an upset against the third-tier opposition.

Context and Significance

The quarter-final clash represented a significant test for Chelsea, who arrived in Wales following a mixed run of form. Cardiff, who are leading the third-tier standings with 41 points from 19 games and coming off a 4-3 win over Doncaster Rovers, provided stern resistance throughout the match. The hosts’ spirited performance underlined the competitive nature of domestic cup football in England.

For Chelsea, the victory maintains their pursuit of silverware across multiple competitions. The Blues had previously ousted Lincoln City in the third round with a 2-1 comeback win and beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-3 in a pulsating seven-goal thriller en route to the quarter-finals.

Looking Ahead

Chelsea’s progression to the semi-finals offers Enzo Maresca’s squad another opportunity to compete for a major trophy in his debut season. The match also highlighted the importance of squad depth, with substitutes proving decisive in securing the result. For Cardiff City, despite the defeat, their performance against Premier League opposition demonstrated the progress being made under manager Brian Barry-Murphy as they continue their League One promotion campaign.