Cardiff City 1-3 Chelsea LIVE - Carabao Cup result as Alejandro Garnacho's double sends Blues through to semi-finals

Chelsea needed two late goals to battle to a 3-1 victory over Cardiff City that booked their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Alejandro Garnacho scored twice while Pedro Neto was also on target for The Blues, as they saw off the spirited League One leaders at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Enzo Maresca made 11 changes from Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Everton on Saturday, and his side struggled to find their rhythm during the first half.

The Blues boss made a double substitution at the break and one of them broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, as Garnacho tucked away Facundo Buonanotte's lay-off following a Dylan Lawlor error.

Cardiff responded well and dragged themselves level with 15 minutes remaining, with David Turnbull springing the offside trap to head home Perry Ng's cross.

However, Chelsea found another gear and regained their lead eight minutes from time. Joao Pedro and Andrey Santos combined to tee up Neto, whose deflected drive evaded the outstretched arm of Bluebirds goalkeeper Nathan Trott.

The Premier League side secured victory in stoppage time as Pedro found Garnacho, who neatly finished to put the tie beyond a valiant Cardiff.

Crystal Palace can secure direct passage into the last 16 of the UEFA Conference League with victory over Finnish side KuPS on Thursday.

The match will be streamed live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Chelsea are the first team into this year's League Cup semi-finals.

Maresca's side will appear there for the fifth time in nine seasons, though it was not as easy as they would have liked it to be.

The Blues were slow out of the blocks and survived a few nervy moments during the first half.

However, they looked rejuvenated after the break with Maresca's words clearly still ringing in their ears, as Garnacho slotted them in front.

Chelsea were heading for a penalty shootout after Turnbull's equaliser. Yet, Neto's deflected strike put them back in front, before Garnacho's second put the seal on their place in the semi-final draw.

Cardiff City 1-3 Chelsea

That's the killer goal that puts Chelsea through to the semi-finals!

The substitutes combine again as Pedro finds Garnacho, who calmly finishes beyond Trott.

Chelsea have the chance to wrap the game up.

Pedro outmuscles his marker in the box, but cannot keep his shot down.

There will be an additional six minutes played at the end of this game.

That is enough time for Cardiff to launch one last throw of the dice.

As we hit the 90th minute, the hosts turn to the bench once more.

Fish is on in place of Ng.

A change in the heart of the visitors' defence sees Chalobah replace Acheampong.

Cardiff look to quickly respond, and a cross is cleared to Turnbull on the edge of the box.

The goalscorer drives his volley into the ground and it dips dangerously towards goal, with Jorgensen watching it all the way over the bar.

The Premier League side regain their lead!

That could be the goal that takes them through to the semi-finals.

Pedro and Santos combine to tee up Neto, whose drilled attempt takes a slight deflection off Fagan and drifts beyond Trott's dive.

Trott is fine to continue, but Colwill is given a breather with Robertson taking his place.

The hosts have been their own worst enemy at times during this game.

They are loose in possession while playing out from the back, allowing Chelsea to attack them.

Trott makes a vital touch to deny Pedro, but injures himself in doing so, with the medical team on to tend to the goalkeeper.

The League One side are level!

It's a lovely goal, too, with Turnbull springing the offside trap to meet Ng's inswinging cross, and brilliantly guide his header beyond Jorgensen.

Game on!

Chelsea attack through the middle with Pedro leading the charge.

The recovering Bagan dispossesses him but, in doing so, sees the ball trickle inches past the post.

There certainly is as we head into the final 20 minutes.

Chelsea have certainly upped their game and dominated since the restart.

However, the League One leaders will still fancy their chances while it remains 1-0.

Buonanotte and Gittens are given breathers by Maresca.

Neto and Gusto come on for the final quarter of the tie.

The Blues continue to attack their League One opponents, with Garnacho chasing a ball in behind the defence.

However, Trott times his intervention well to dispossess the goalscorer.