Benzema hat-trick in 17 minutes stuns Paris Saint-Germain within the epic CL

Real Madrid's David Alaba celebrates Karim Benzema, who scored his team's first goal

Karim Benzema’s second-half hat-trick secured Actual Madrid a spot within the Champions League quarter-finals, getting back from 2-0 down on combination to win 3-2 and knock Paris Saint-Germain out of Europe.

Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring to cement PSG’s benefit from the primary leg – having secured the top of Neymar’s first go together with his left foot – by ending near the publish 39 that Actual Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois might solely get a contact from. On.

PSG had been accountable for the cruise management on the Bernabeu till Gianluigi Donnarumma supplied Actual a lifeline, as Benzema compelled him to make a foul in his space earlier than ending off Vinicius Junior’s minimize.

Real Madrid's David Alaba celebrates Karim Benzema, who scored his team's first goal

Benzema’s skewed effort from shut vary equalized after a posh go from Luka Modric slashed the PSG protection, and simply 10 seconds into the guests’ kickoff, the Actual captain accomplished a hat-trick in 17 minutes with an excellent end for the primary time after a aim. Weak assertion from Marquinhos as PSG as soon as once more collapses in Europe.

Participant rankings

Actual Madrid: Courtois (7), Carvajal (6), Militao (6), Alaba (6), Nacho (6), Valverde (6), Kroos (6), Modric (7), Vinicius Junior (7), Benzema (10) , Asensio (5).

Subs: Vazquez (6), Camavinga (6), Rodrygo (6).

Visitor workforce: Donnarumma (4), Hakimi (6), Marquinhos (5), Kimpembe (5), Mendes (6), Paredes (6), Pereira (6), Verratti (5), Messi (5), Mbappe (8), Neymar (7).

Subs: Jay (5), Di Maria (not out there), Draxler (not out there)

man of the match: Benzema.

That was 5 years in the past on a Tuesday Paris Saint-Germain misplaced 6-1 on the Nou Camp, the place Barcelona achieved a record-breaking comeback with 4 targets within the first leg.

Benzema, who turned the oldest participant to attain a hat-trick within the Champions League on Wednesday evening, beats Alfredo Di Stefano as Actual Madrid’s third scorer with 309 targets.

“We misplaced within the first leg and misplaced within the first half… It was very tough, however it is a Champions League match and we’re Actual Madrid,” mentioned Benzema, captain of the 13-times Champions League winner. the sport.

Workforce information

  • Kylian Mbappe began the match regardless of worry of harm late
  • Gianluigi Donnarumma was a aim favorite over Keylor Navas
  • Toni Kroos (hamstring) and Federico Valverde (influenza) are again within the Actual Madrid beginning line-up
  • Casemiro and Ferland Mendy have been unavailable on account of suspension

Mbappe, who scored the one aim within the first leg, was a relentless menace till the equalizer and had the ball within the internet thrice an evening, denying Mbappe solely two targets from offside.

The France striker will likely be feeling painstakingly after a powerful efficiency towards the aspect he tried in the summertime, and he has proven no signal of a distraction regardless of intense hypothesis that has linked him to a transfer to Actual.

The hosts got here shut within the first half via Benzema, who parried a curling shot for the primary time together with his fingertips from Donnarumma, with the match nonetheless tied.

Benzema, who scored his five hundredth begin for Actual in all competitions, missed two possibilities together with his head within the first half, missed the aim and threw the opposite header into Donnarumma’s arms.

Deja vu for Paris Saint-Germain in Europe

Paris Saint-Germain has been right here earlier than. He took a two-goal lead towards Manchester United after the primary leg in 2019, 4 targets forward of Barcelona in 2017. This time it was half an hour left, two targets for the higher.

It was the fourth outing of 9 they have been knocked out of the Champions League after they received the primary leg – solely Actual Madrid did so typically (six occasions).

The mentality of the star-studded squad was weak – maybe tainted by previous errors – and so they did not get well after Donnarumma gifted his opening aim to Benzema.

PSG’s gamers might barely increase their heads after Benzema’s second aim earlier than making it 3-1 on the evening and giving Actual the decisive aim to serve them up.

The Qatari homeowners’ seek for the Champions League trophy continues, in order that the addition of Lionel Messi in the summertime couldn’t go the spherical of 16, with the return of the unknown former Barcelona participant to Spain.

Paris Saint-Germain’s wait stays unsure, with huge query marks over the way forward for coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Sporting director Leonardo insists Pochettino stays a part of the undertaking, However the failure to elevate the Champions League ended with only one outcome for the managers at PSG beneath the present homeowners. Simply ask Thomas Tuchel, Unai Emery, Laurent Blanc and Carlo Ancelotti.

Benzema breaks the report and saves Actual

Benzema's goals against Paris Saint-Germain made him the third-best scorer in Real Madrid's history.
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Benzema’s targets towards PSG made Actual Madrid the third greatest scorer ever

With solely half-hour to go, Actual Madrid’s destiny appeared inevitable, and it felt inevitable that PSG’s advance could be inevitable.

However that each one modified, with a second of perseverance from 34-year-old Benzema, whose stress compelled Donnarumma to make a foul that proved the catalyst for an epic return to the Champions League.

His tenacity continued to push Actual Madrid ahead as he netted the ball twice with simply 10 seconds of open play between the 2 targets.

It was an astonishing efficiency from the Frenchman, who took his place amongst Actual Madrid’s kings by beating Alfredo Di Stefano because the membership’s third main scorer, behind solely Raul and Cristiano Ronaldo.

He’s additionally forward of Raul (66) as Actual’s second-best scorer within the Champions League with 67 targets, and solely Ronaldo is forward (105).

Ancelotti: It was the magic of this stadium

Actual Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti mentioned: “We suffered quite a bit within the first half, however we did it. We had a tough time getting the ball. We tried to press…however it was stress from Karim that introduced us the primary aim. After which got here the magic of this pitch. And people followers are with him.”

Actual Madrid striker Benzema mentioned: “We wanted the followers and that is for them. It was a really tough match however we went to the top and deserved to win.

“We misplaced the primary leg, and so they went 1-0 up, however our followers pushed us to provide every little thing proper till the ultimate whistle.”

He added about his first aim: “This isn’t fallacious [by Donnarumma]. It is stress from the entire workforce.”

Bush: I am upset – the subsequent few weeks won’t be simple

"The next few weeks will not be easy," Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino said:
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“The subsequent few weeks won’t be simple,” mentioned PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino mentioned: “The primary aim modified the entire sport. For an hour we have been higher than Actual Madrid, the ambiance on the stadium modified.

“We made some errors after that, we won’t say we did not. The worst feeling is that we have been the higher workforce, however we misplaced a tie in 10 minutes.

“Paris Saint-Germain has been chasing the Champions League for a lot of years now. I am actually pissed off, upset – however this stuff can occur. The subsequent few weeks will not be going to be simple.”

When is the QF Champions League draw?

The Champions League quarter-final draw will happen on Friday 18 March at 11am UK time, because the balls are drawn on the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

The draw for the semi-finals will happen on the identical time, which means that golf equipment and followers can decide their doable path to the Paris remaining.

It is possible for you to to observe the draw through Sky Sports activities digital platforms.

What then?

Actual Madrid journey to Mallorca in La Liga on Monday; The match begins at 8 pm. Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect leads by eight factors on the high of the desk, with 11 video games remaining. Paris Saint-Germain hosts Bordeaux in Ligue 1 on Sunday. Match begins at 12 pm. Paris Saint-Germain, who misplaced to second-placed Good in its earlier Ligue 1 match, leads by 13 factors on the high of the desk with 11 video games remaining.