Karim Benzema’s incredible hat trick has put Real Madrid in touching distance of the Champions League semi finals as they won 3-1 at Chelsea.
Back-to-back Champions League hat-tricks for Karim Benzema 🎩
He's 34-years-old by the way.#UCL pic.twitter.com/pSi9MO6ASR
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 6, 2022
Los Blancos take a major advantage into the return tie in Madrid later this month as Benzema netted a second successive Champions League treble and his 37th goal of 2021/22.
Karim Benzema is the first player in Champions League history to score a #UCL hat-trick against Chelsea. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/bS4ygSGPgL
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 6, 2022
Carlo Ancelotti’s side looked hungry for this from the start in London, as Vinicius Junior lashed against the bar, before the Brazilian’s deft cross was spectacularly headed home by Benzema.
KARIM BENZEMA STOP THAT! 🎯
He had no right to score that! Ridiculous header 💥#UCL pic.twitter.com/jWtW2l1kcZ
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 6, 2022
That appeared to stun Chelsea in the following minutes as Luka Modric’s ball was brilliantly nodded home by a rampant Benzema.
The ball by Modric 🤤
The precision from Benzema 👌The Frenchman is on fire. Real Madrid are on fire.
They lead 2-0 at Stamford Bridge! 🔥#UCL pic.twitter.com/YJFTQec6qm
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 6, 2022
The Blues looked to have forced themselves back into the contest before the break, as Kai Havertz struck, but Edouard Mendy’s error immediately after the restart gifted Benzema a third.
Hat-trick for Benzema! ✔️
The worst possible start to the second half for Chelsea… 😔
A terrible defensive mix up between Édouard Mendy and Antonio Rüdiger allows a tap in for Real Madrid's star man ⚽️#UCL pic.twitter.com/GJDtp3IM6u
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 6, 2022
Ancelotti’s charges went into cruise control from there, as Thibaut Courtois produced a vital stop from Cesar Azpilicueta, and Romelu Lukaku missed a key late chance.
Real Madrid host Chelsea in the Spanish capital on April 12 with a last four tie against either Atletico Madrid or Manchester City on offer for the winner.
Images via Getty Images
