Chelsea suffered the indignity of becoming the first Champions League holders to fail to advance beyond the group stage despite thrashing Nordsjaelland at Stamford Bridge.

Interim manager Rafael Benitez's first win came in the most emphatic fashion - but Juventus's victory against Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine meant the Blues were out only seven months after claiming the crown against Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena.

That triumph in Germany seemed an age away at a subdued Stamford Bridge, the hosts' drop into the Europa League merely emphasising the decline in fortunes that recently claimed former manager Roberto Di Matteo.

Chelsea's recent European record

2006-07 : Semi-final

2007-08 : Runners-up

2008-09 : Semi-final

2009-10 : Last 16

2010-11 : Quarter-finals

2011-12 : Winners

2012-13 : Out at group stage

The Danish minnows, bottom of the group and arriving in west London with just a point to their name, wasted an opportunity to take the lead when Nicolai Stokholm saw his penalty saved by Petr Cech, Eden Hazard suffering a similar fate seconds later as Jesper Hansen blocked his spot-kick.

A third penalty inside seven minutes saw David Luiz put Chelsea ahead and Fernando Torres added a second before half-time.

Joshua John pulled one back for Nordjaelland seconds after half-time but further goals from Gary Cahill, Torres, Juan Mata and Oscar emphasised the chasm in class.

Sadly for Chelsea and Benitez it was to no avail with their destiny out of their hands, a bitter disappointment so soon after the greatest night in the club's history . They will now head to contest Fifa's World Club Cup in Japan next week with their reign as European champions already over.

Why Chelsea were knocked out

Article 7.06: If two or more teams are equal on points on completion of the group matches, the following criteria are applied to determine the rankings:

a) higher number of points obtained in the group matches played among the teams in question

b) superior goal difference from the group matches played among the teams in question

c) higher number of goals scored in the group matches played among the teams in question

d) higher number of goals scored away from home in the group matches played among the teams in question

Benitez, still trying to win over the sceptics among Chelsea's fans, will contest both that and the Europa League fiercely but this is undoubtedly a bitter blow to a club desperate to build on that momentous night in Munich.

They ended on the same number of points as Shakhtar but the Ukraine side scored more goals at Stamford Bridge than Chelsea managed in the reverse fixture .

The Blues simply had to take care of business at Stamford Bridge and await news from the Donbass Arena in Donetsk. In the end, it was not good.

Benitez once again arrived in his technical area to a decidedly mixed reception and the subdued atmosphere inside the stadium was reflected in a low-key start.

Nordsjaelland were forced into an early change when Ivan Runje was carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Mikkel Beckmann.

For the hosts, Victor Moses was a lively figure and his cross from the right almost resulted in Chelsea's opener, Stokholm slicing the ball against his own crossbar.

Ashley Cole reaches 100 Champions League appearances

Oct 2000 : Debut in Champions League for Arsenal v Sparta Praha

May 2006 : Losing finalist for Arsenal in defeat to Barcelona

May 2008 : Losing finalist for Chelsea in defeat to Man United

May 2012 : Wins Champions League with Chelsea, scoring in penalty shoot-out v Bayern Munich

Dec 2012 : Makes 100th Champions League appearance

Chelsea were shocked when Dutch referee Bas Nijhuis pointed to the spot after Anders Christiansen's shot appeared to strike Cahill on the arm outside the area but justice was done as Cech dived to his right to save Stokholm's penalty.

Within seconds, Chelsea had a penalty of their own when Beckmann blocked Cahill's header with his arm - but once again the goalkeeper was the victor as Hansen saved Hazard's effort.

The deadlock was finally broken six minutes before half-time with the third penalty award inside seven minutes. Patrick Mtiliga was harshly adjudged to have handled and this time Luiz assumed responsibility and made no mistake.

Torres had been desperate for a goal and it finally came on the stroke of half-time when he raced on to Moses's pass to score at the second time of asking.

Chelsea were surprised momentarily when John scrambled home in scrappy fashion 20 seconds after the restart - but it was a brief interruption into what was to become a procession.

Cahill restored Chelsea's two-goal advantage when he headed in from Mata's free-kick before Torres benefited from brilliant work by Hazard to turn in his second at the near post.

Mata was on target himself after Hansen saved his first effort and substitute Oscar ran clear to score the sixth with real composure.

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (6)

Chelsea

  • 01 Cech
  • 02 Ivanovic
  • 03 Cole (Bertrand - 60' )
  • 04 David Luiz Booked
  • 24 Cahill
  • 06 Romeu
  • 07 Ramires (Oscar - 65' )
  • 10 Mata (Ferreira - 74' )
  • 13 Moses
  • 17 Hazard
  • 09 Torres

Substitutes

  • 22 Turnbull
  • 19 Ferreira
  • 28 Azpilicueta
  • 34 Bertrand
  • 11 Oscar
  • 12 Mikel
  • 21 Marin

Nordsjaelland

  • 01 Hansen
  • 08 Mtiliga Booked
  • 18 Parkhurst Booked
  • 21 Runje (Beckmann - 10' )
  • 05 Christiansen Booked (Kildentoft - 61' )
  • 06 Adu
  • 07 Stokholm
  • 19 Gundelach
  • 20 Lorentzen
  • 15 John
  • 23 Ticinovic (Issah - 64' )

Substitutes

  • 25 Jensen
  • 04 Kildentoft
  • 43 Maxso
  • 10 Beckmann
  • 22 Laudrup
  • 24 Issah
  • 31 Lindberg
Ref: Nijhuis
Att: 40,084

Match Stats

Shots

28 7

On target

21 6

Corners

13 1

Fouls

6 12

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +2:05 Full time

Full Time The referee blows for the end of the match.

90:00 +0:55

The assistant referee signals for offside against Mark Gundelach. Gary Cahill takes the free kick.

90:00 +0:29

Fernando Torres has a lobbed shot. Save by Jesper Hansen.

89:10

Michael Parkhurst restarts play with the free kick.

89:10 Booking

Booking David Luiz is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

89:01

David Luiz concedes a free kick for a foul on Kamal Issah.

88:06

Unfair challenge on David Luiz by Mikkel Beckmann results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Gary Cahill.

87:34

Victor Moses has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide left of the target.

86:42

Foul by Kasper Lorentzen on Paulo Ferreira, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Emboaba Oscar.

86:19

Victor Moses takes a shot. Save by Jesper Hansen.

84:02

David Luiz produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick.

83:47

Unfair challenge on Eden Hazard by Patrick Mtiliga results in a free kick.

84:02

David Luiz has an effort direct from the free kick.

84:02 Booking

Booking The referee shows Patrick Mtiliga a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

83:47

Free kick awarded for a foul by Patrick Mtiliga on Eden Hazard.

83:12

David Luiz sends in a cross, clearance by Nicolai Stokholm.

82:05

Joshua John is ruled offside. Petr Cech takes the free kick.

81:46

Joshua John crosses the ball, blocked by Gary Cahill.

81:34

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Patrick Mtiliga by Fernando Torres. Patrick Mtiliga takes the direct free kick.

80:51

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Emboaba Oscar.

80:32

Gary Cahill takes a shot. Blocked by Enoch Adu.

80:19

Emboaba Oscar takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance by Michael Parkhurst.

79:57

Emboaba Oscar takes a shot. Save by Jesper Hansen.

79:17

A cross is delivered by Paulo Ferreira, Fernando Torres takes a shot. Jesper Hansen makes a comfortable save.

78:28

David Luiz concedes a free kick for a foul on Kamal Issah. Direct free kick taken by Kamal Issah.

76:42

Kamal Issah gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Eden Hazard. Oriol Romeu takes the free kick.

76:15

Fernando Torres handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Enoch Adu.

73:47

Outswinging corner taken by Emboaba Oscar from the right by-line, Headed effort from deep inside the area by Branislav Ivanovic misses to the right of the target.

73:11

Shot by David Luiz. Enoch Adu gets a block in.

73:30 Substitution

Substitution Paulo Ferreira joins the action as a substitute, replacing Juan Mata.

73:11

Curled left-footed shot by David Luiz. Blocked by Patrick Mtiliga.

71:18

A cross is delivered by Enoch Adu, Petr Cech makes a save.

70:10

Assist by Juan Mata.

70:10 Goal scored

Goal - Emboaba Oscar - Chelsea 6 - 1 Nordsj'and A goal is scored by Emboaba Oscar from inside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Chelsea 6-1 FC Nordsjaelland.

69:33

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Patrick Mtiliga by Ryan Bertrand. Kamal Issah takes the free kick.

68:33

The ball is swung over by Oriol Romeu, save by Jesper Hansen.

67:02

Inswinging corner taken by Juan Mata from the right by-line, Michael Parkhurst makes a clearance.

66:46

The ball is delivered by Emboaba Oscar, blocked by Patrick Mtiliga.

66:27

Branislav Ivanovic produces a cross, clearance by Nicolai Stokholm.

66:15

A cross is delivered by Ryan Bertrand, save made by Jesper Hansen.

65:28

Fernando Torres takes a shot. Save by Jesper Hansen.

62:31

Juan Mata takes a shot. Save made by Jesper Hansen.

64:23 Substitution

Substitution Nascimento Ramires leaves the field to be replaced by Emboaba Oscar.

63:56 Substitution

Substitution Mario Ticinovic leaves the field to be replaced by Kamal Issah.

63:33

Juan Mata takes a shot. Jesper Hansen makes a save.

62:34

The assist for the goal came from Eden Hazard.

62:34 Goal scored

Goal - Juan Mata - Chelsea 5 - 1 Nordsj'and Goal scored by Juan Mata from close range to the bottom left corner of the goal. Chelsea 5-1 FC Nordsjaelland.

62:34

Assist on the goal came from Eden Hazard.

60:11 Substitution

Substitution Henrik Kildentoft comes on in place of Anders Christiansen.

59:36 Substitution

Substitution Ryan Bertrand replaces Ashley Cole.

59:36 Substitution

Substitution Ashley Cole leaves the field to be replaced by Ryan Bertrand.

58:34

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on David Luiz by Mikkel Beckmann. Free kick taken by David Luiz.

55:33

The assist for the goal came from Eden Hazard.

55:33 Goal scored

Goal - Fernando Torres - Chelsea 4 - 1 Nordsj'and Fernando Torres grabs a goal from close range to the top left corner of the goal. Chelsea 4-1 FC Nordsjaelland.

54:04

Juan Mata produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the left of the target.

53:50

Juan Mata decides to take the corner short.

53:33

The ball is swung over by Nascimento Ramires, blocked by Michael Parkhurst.

52:52

Shot on goal by Victor Moses from just inside the area clears the crossbar.

51:11

Nascimento Ramires concedes a free kick for a foul on Kasper Lorentzen. Free kick taken by Patrick Mtiliga.

50:21

Assist by Juan Mata.

50:21 Goal scored

Goal - Gary Cahill - Chelsea 3 - 1 Nordsj'and Gary Cahill grabs a headed goal from deep inside the penalty box. Chelsea 3-1 FC Nordsjaelland.

49:42

Centre by Juan Mata,

49:42 Booking

Booking The referee books Michael Parkhurst for unsporting behaviour.

49:24

Michael Parkhurst concedes a free kick for a foul on Fernando Torres.

45:18

Assist by Kasper Lorentzen.

45:18 Goal scored

Goal - Joshua John - Chelsea 2 - 1 Nordsj'and Joshua John finds the net with a goal from inside the six-yard box low into the middle of the goal. Chelsea 2-1 FC Nordsjaelland.

45:01

The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.

45:00 +4:00

Mark Gundelach takes a shot. Petr Cech makes a save.

45:00 +4:26 Half time

Half Time The players leave the pitch at half time.

45:00 +4:00

Nicolai Stokholm takes a shot. Save by Petr Cech.

45:00 +1:00

The assist for the goal came from Victor Moses.

45:00 +1:00 Goal scored

Goal - Fernando Torres - Chelsea 2 - 0 Nordsj'and Fernando Torres gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the six-yard box to the top left corner of the goal. Chelsea 2-0 FC Nordsjaelland.

45:00 +0:58

Fernando Torres takes a shot. Save by Jesper Hansen.

44:27

Victor Moses fouled by Patrick Mtiliga, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Juan Mata.

41:44

Juan Mata sends in a cross, Fernando Torres takes a shot.

41:44

The ball is sent over by Juan Mata, Fernando Torres takes a shot.

37:24

Juan Mata produces a drilled left-footed shot from 20 yards. Blocked by Patrick Mtiliga.

39:24

Mario Ticinovic takes a shot. Save by Petr Cech.

38:07 Goal scored

Goal - David Luiz - Chelsea 1 - 0 Nordsj'and Penalty taken right-footed by David Luiz and scored. Chelsea 1-0 FC Nordsjaelland.

37:51

Assist on the goal came from Juan Mata.

37:49

Patrick Mtiliga is penalised for a handball.

37:24

Shot from 20 yards by Juan Mata. Blocked by Michael Parkhurst.

36:20

David Luiz restarts play with the free kick.

36:20 Booking

Booking Anders Christiansen goes into the referee's book for unsporting behaviour.

36:16

Free kick awarded for a foul by Anders Christiansen on Oriol Romeu.

35:07

Victor Moses produces a cross.

34:30

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Juan Mata from the right by-line to the near post, Enoch Adu makes a clearance.

34:24 Penalty

Placed penalty taken by Eden Hazard saved by Jesper Hansen. Chelsea 0-0 FC Nordsjaelland.

34:06

Mikkel Beckmann is adjudged to have handled the ball.

33:27

Corner taken right-footed by Eden Hazard from the left by-line, Gary Cahill takes a shot. Blocked by Mikkel Beckmann.

33:09

Fernando Torres takes a shot. Blocked by Mark Gundelach.

31:39 Penalty

Placed penalty taken by Nicolai Stokholm saved by Petr Cech. Chelsea 0-0 FC Nordsjaelland.

30:57

Gary Cahill is penalised for handball and concedes a .

30:34

Anders Christiansen produces a curled right-footed shot from 20 yards. Gary Cahill gets a block in.

29:24

Victor Moses is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Michael Parkhurst.

28:48

Enoch Adu takes a shot. Comfortable save by Petr Cech.

27:12

Effort from outside the penalty box by Kasper Lorentzen goes wide right of the target.

26:10

Outswinging corner taken by Eden Hazard, Jesper Hansen makes a save.

26:08

Victor Moses sends in a cross, clearance by Nascimento Ramires.

24:59

Branislav Ivanovic sends in a cross.

22:04

Free kick awarded for a foul by Enoch Adu on Juan Mata. Juan Mata crosses the ball in from the free kick. The assistant referee signals for offside against Fernando Torres. Jesper Hansen takes the free kick.

21:45

A cross is delivered by Ashley Cole.

19:45

Fernando Torres takes a shot. Save made by Jesper Hansen.

18:54

Mark Gundelach is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Gary Cahill restarts play with the free kick.

18:26

Victor Moses is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Jesper Hansen.

17:26

Free kick awarded for a foul by Anders Christiansen on Juan Mata. Oriol Romeu takes the direct free kick.

15:40

Inswinging corner taken by Juan Mata, Mario Ticinovic makes a clearance.

13:21

Juan Mata delivers the ball, Nicolai Stokholm manages to make a clearance.

13:11

Short corner taken by Eden Hazard from the left by-line.

12:53

The ball is crossed by Eden Hazard, blocked by Anders Christiansen.

11:46

Mikkel Beckmann delivers the ball, Mark Gundelach takes a shot. Save by Petr Cech.

11:08

Juan Mata sends in a cross, Eden Hazard takes a shot. Save made by Jesper Hansen.

10:19

Joshua John takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance by Fernando Torres.

9:47

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Juan Mata, David Luiz takes a shot. Save by Jesper Hansen.

9:33 Substitution

Substitution Ivan Runje leaves the field to be replaced by Mikkel Beckmann.

9:31

Fernando Torres takes a shot. Jesper Hansen makes a save.

9:12

The referee blows for offside against Fernando Torres. Jesper Hansen takes the free kick.

8:24

The ball is sent over by Oriol Romeu, save by Jesper Hansen.

7:33

Ashley Cole crosses the ball, Victor Moses has an effort at goal from 12 yards. Jesper Hansen makes a save.

3:21

Kasper Lorentzen gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David Luiz. David Luiz takes the free kick.

2:15

Nicolai Stokholm gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Eden Hazard. Direct free kick taken by Eden Hazard.

1:40

Unfair challenge on Mario Ticinovic by Nascimento Ramires results in a free kick. Michael Parkhurst restarts play with the free kick.

1:16

Juan Mata takes a inswinging corner to the near post, clearance made by Patrick Mtiliga.

0:51

Juan Mata takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance by Patrick Mtiliga.

0:00

The game gets underway.

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