Chelsea 3 Rubin Kazan 1

TWO-GOAL Fernando Torres ought to wear his mask all the time after this.

For there was no disguising the star of Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s £50million striker looked different, a real transformation — but not just his facial protection.
As a player he was alive, confident, even swaggering at times.
And a goal in each half saw the often-criticised Spaniard put classy Blues on the brink of a second semi-final this season.
On Easter Monday they sealed an FA Cup semi against Manchester City at Wembley by knocking out Manchester United.
And now, three nights later, they took a giant leap towards reaching the Europa League last four.

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CHELSEA boss says he never had any doubts that Torres would come good as Spaniard bags double

Senor Torres was the outstanding hero after bagging a brace for the first time since December.
But the excitement only exploded after a low-key opening in front of 10,000 empty seats.
Only a handful of Russian fans had made the trip and many Chelsea fans were missing too, hardly surprising as this was their third game in six days.
But after a sluggish start, Chelsea finally came alive and looked to be cruising to their second semi-final in four days.
They were 2-0 ahead inside 33 minutes and looked in control.
It was that man Torres who had broken the deadlock in Roberto Di Matteo time — the 16th minute.
But this time Chelsea fans were too busy celebrating a rare goal for the man in the mask to sing about their former boss.
He had done well, bursting forward to meet a raking, long ball from Brazilian centre-back David Luiz.

SLIDING TORS ... Fernando Torres bundles home Chelsea's opener against Rubin Kazan

At first it seemed as if a stumble at the vital moment had robbed him and the Blues of a score.
But the goal-hungry Spaniard reacted well to prod home with his right foot while down on the deck.
Moments later he was showboating with a cross from the right, hooking his right foot behind his left leg to whip it in.
And suddenly it was infectious.
Full-back Ryan Bertrand, in for injured Ashley Cole, skipped through a couple of tackles before getting off an angled attempt that was cleared in front of goal by Vitali Kaleshin.
Juan Mata then got out of trouble deep in his own half with some great skill and clever feet as the Blues began to turn on the style.
Victor Moses, one of six changes to the team that beat United, was next on the show reel.
His firm, downward header bounced up off the turf and almost caught out Kazan keeper Sergey Ryzhikov. He went down far too soon yet somehow managed to claw the ball away at the last minute. But it was a temporary reprieve.
Torres retrieved the ball, saw a shot blocked but the ever-aware Mata intervened to prod it back to Moses, who this time smashed a right-foot shot into the top corner.
The grin on Moses’ face said it all, a fine goal for a player who has struggled to make an impact since his summer move from Wigan. It all seemed so easy, too good to be true against a side that had knocked out holders Atletico Madrid.
And we all know what Atletico did to Chelsea in the European Super Cup last summer, don’t we? They thrashed the Blues 4-1.
Cristian Ansaldi let fly from 25 yards and the ball crashed into the arm of skipper John Terry. A clear penalty but a harsh yellow card.
And Bebras Natcho sent Petr Cech the wrong way from the spot to halve the deficit and secure a valuable away goal.

NATCH THE WAY TO DO IT ... Bebis Natcho celebrates after tucking away his penalty at Stamford Bridge

Stamford Bridge was stunned. But the home fans were relieved moments later when Ansaldi whizzed another pile-driver just past a post.
Game on. Still Chelsea enjoyed the upper hand but the Londoners were more careful now, anxious not to allow the Russians another chance to hurt their hunt for silverware.

NO MATA ... Juan Mata charges through the challenge of Rubin Kazan's Cristian Ansaldi

Four minutes after the break, in-form Mata must have thought he had scored when Moses teed him up for a left-foot shot across the keeper but Ryzhikov made a fine save.
It was another 21 minutes before the Blues carved out another quality chance but this time they buried it.
Again it was star of the show Torres who was the hero. He started the move with a charge forward but had to check back in search of support.
He laid it off to Frank Lampard. He swept it out to Mata, who pulled wide on the left.
And his cross was perfect for his compatriot to leap between the two centre-backs and steer home a towering header.
Great movement and a quality finish.
Game over on the night, although Chelsea must remember the job’s still only half done.
STAR MAN - TORRES (Chelsea)
CHELSEA: Cech 6, Azpilicueta 6, Terry 7, Luiz 7, Bertrand 7, Ramires 6, Lampard 6, Moses 6, Benayoun 7, Mata 8, Torres 8. Subs: Hazard (Moses 65) 5, Oscar (Mata 78) 8, Marin (Benayoun 81) 1. Not used: Turnbull, Ivanovic, Mikel, Ferreira. Booked: Terry, Benayoun, Marin.
RUBIN KAZAN: Ryzhikov 6, Kuzmin 5 (Kasaev 81, 1), Ansaldi 7, Navas 6, Orbaiz 6, Kaleshin 6, Dyadyun 3 (Rondon 45, 3), Eremenko 6, Karadeniz 6, Natcho 7, Sharonov 6. Subs not used: Arlauskis, Ryazantsev, Kislyak, Marcano, Tore. Booked: Orbaiz.
REFEREE: Gianluca Rocchi 5