Argentine Alejandro Garnacho scored his first brace for Chelsea and was decisive in qualifying for the EFL Cup semi-finals. Enzo Maresca's team defeated Cardiff City 3-1 in Wales in a tougher-than-expected match against a third-division rival, as reported by Agencia Noticias Argentinas. Chelsea suffered for long periods and found it difficult to create clarity, especially in the first half. Only eight minutes into stoppage time, Chelsea managed to definitively tip the balance with a cross-shot from Pedro Neto, which, after a slight deflection, became the 2-1 goal. With space and the opponent pushing forward, Garnacho sealed the deal. The Argentine winger attacked down the left flank and unleashed a right-footed strike to secure the definitive 3-1 scoreline and record his first brace since joining the club. With these goals, Garnacho takes his tally to four goals in 17 appearances for Chelsea. Chelsea thus advanced to the EFL Cup semi-finals, a stage that will feature exclusively Premier League teams. Cardiff City reacted and equalized with a shot from David Turnbull, which complicated the London side again. The score remained 0-0 until the start of the second half, when a marked error by the home team broke the deadlock. Dylan Lawlor failed in his clearance, Facundo Buonanotte seized the ball clean and assisted Garnacho, who finished across the face of goal after Trott's rush to open the scoring. The calm did not last long.
