Karim Benzema was the star man for Real Madrid yet again, as the Spanish side won 3-1 at Stamford Bridge thanks to the striker's second hat-trick in as many Champions League games.
Action: Real Madrid were dangerous from the very start when after just ten minutes gone at Stamford Bridge, Vinícius Júnior hit the bar. It was Benzema who had set up the chance in the first place, winning the ball high up the pitch and getting the move started with a lovely backheel.
Benzema pulled the strings again in the build-up to Madrid’s first goal when he fed Vinícius through with a clever ball. The Brazilian crossed back into the box and the Frenchman beat Édouard Mendy with a looping header from an improbable angle.
Chelsea had little time to recover before Benzema headed in another one. This time it was Luka Modric sending in a fine cross that the striker got onto the end on to stun Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Tuchel’s side did pull one back with 40 minutes gone. Jorginho sent in a fine ball for Kai Havertz to head past former Blues goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who was receiving boos from the home fans.
It could have been a hat-trick for Benzema before half-time when another ball from the left from Vinícius – who had the better of Andreas Christensen throughout the first period – eventually found the Frenchman but he couldn’t convert from close range in what was the easiest of his three chances in the game.
The home team made two changes at halftime with Christensen and N’Golo Kanté replaced by Hakim Ziyech and Mateo Kovacic as Tuchel changed his team’s shape, which wasn’t working against Carlo Ancelotti’s team.
The Blues almost struck back immediately when César Azpilicueta unleashed an effort from outside the box that forced a superb save from Courtois.
Tuchel made more changes with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Romelu Lukaku coming on. It was the latter who had a superb chance to reduce the deficit when Azpilicueta’s cross found Lukaku in the box and with a free header but the Belgian headed just wide.
Madrid were happy to try and ride out the game until the end and take a two-goal advantage back home with them. That gave Chelsea chances, Mason Mount having a fierce shout just go over the bar and Reece James having an effort that Courtois did well to keep out.
But the visitors held on to their advantage and take a healthy lead thanks to Benzema’s brilliance back to Madrid, which will be a huge challenge for Chelsea to overcome.
Man of the Match: Who else? Karim Benzema is having his greatest ever season even by his own high standards at the age of 34. The Frenchman is really ageing like a fine wine. Not only did he score three goals, including two brilliant headers, but his overall work-rate and link-up play were world class.
xG: Chelsea (1.64) 1-3 (1.31) Real Madrid
4 - Karim Benzema is the 4th player to score a hat-trick in back-to-back UCL appearances after Luiz Adriano, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Again. pic.twitter.com/aU3uPNxi8W
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) April 6, 2022
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Kai Havertz 41' | Karim Benzema 22' 25' 46' |