Fast as an arrow, merciless, yes simply outstanding – what real star Karim Benzema conjured up on the London lawn against Chelsea breaks the superlatives. With his 3 goals in the quarter-final first leg of the “premier class” he brought the Madrilenians to the semi-final ticket with one hand.
It was the “Blues” who started the second half with the supposedly better self-confidence. This after Kai Havertz breathed hope back into his colors shortly before the break with the 1:2 goal.
A glimmer of light that lasted just 45 seconds after the change of sides: Benzema reacted abruptly to a hair-raising mistake by Chelsea keeper Édouard Mendy and marked his third goal of the evening.
Benzema’s header show
Madrid started the game furiously and overwhelmed the Chelsea defense. First Vinicius Junior failed in the 10th minute on the edge of the goal, a little later Benzema started the double header show:
- 21st minute: Benzema sends Vinicius Junior down before a perfect cross lands back in the Frenchman’s box. Benzema holds his head, his projectile is untenable for Mendy.
- 24 minutes: This time it’s the right side. Benzema foreheads Luka Modric’s cross again.
While everything seems to have gone according to plan at Real and Benzema has now scored 11 CL goals this season, last season’s winner failed several times in the second half to concede another goal. Romelu Lukaku came particularly close in the 69th minute: his header just missed the post.
Here’s how to proceed
The fight for the semi-final ticket will only be decided in the second leg, which will take place next Tuesday, April 12 (9 p.m.). Chelsea are guests in the Spanish capital.