Karim Benzema scores an 18-minute hat-trick – including two goals in just 12 SECONDS – to send Real Madrid through at PSG’s expense and leave Rio Ferdinand insisting he’s ‘the most complete No 9 about’
- Karim Benzema helped Real Madrid complete a turnaround win on PSG
- The Frenchman scored an 18-minute hat-trick to send Real Madrid through
- Madrid had looked like they were crashing out of the Champions League
- Real Madrid though are now in the quarter finals after their 3-2 aggregate win
- Gary Lineker described Benzema as one of the best number-nines of all time
Karim Benzema sent Real Madrid through to the quarter finals of the Champions League with a stunning hat-trick against Paris Saint-Germain.
Los Blancos looked like they were heading out of Europe after Kylian Mbappe’s first-half goal gave PSG a 2-0 aggregate lead.
But then in a stunning 18-minute period during the second-half, Real Madrid and Benzema turned the game on its head.
Karim Benzema sent PSG crashing out of the Champions League with a stunning hat-trick
PSG looked like they were going to advance before their stunning second-half collapse
The Frenchman levelled the score on the night after 61 minutes when he capitalised on a howler from PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
He then levelled the aggregate scoreline when Luka Modric broke through the lines, before linking up with Vinicius and finding Benzema to smash home.
Then PSG gave the ball away from kick-off and Marquinhos accidently passed the ball straight into the path of Benzema to tuck away.
Benzema gave Real Madrid a glimmer of hope after he capitalised on a mistake from Gianluigi Donnarumma
He then scored two goals in the space of 12 seconds as PSG capitulated against Los Blancos
It was a horrific collapse from Mauricio Pochettino’s side, and Real Madrid fans were sent into raptures thanks to the brilliant performance of Benzema.
After the match Benzema received praise on social media after his match-winning display.
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker posted: ‘Karim Benzema is indisputably one of the greatest number nines of all-time.’
It was one of the Real Madrid legend’s all-time great displays and solidified his status as one of the world’s best strikers
His former team-mate Mesut Ozil commented: ‘What a game… my boi Benzi still the best No9.’
Football supporters also joined in the act with Raj Chohan stating: ‘Put Karim Benzema into the all-time great striker conversations right now. Facilitator. Creator. Goalscorer. What a legend of the game.’
Another user posted: ‘Karim Benzema deserves all the respect he gets. Man’s been carrying this #RealMadrid team since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure. What a Performance!’
By scoring a treble, he became the oldest player to score a Champions League hat-trick at 34 years and 80 days.
He also overtaked Real Madrid legend Raul for goals in the Champions League, with the Frenchman now on 67.
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