UCL: Benzema tricks PSG out
Karim Benzema scored a remarkable hat trick as Real Madrid completed an incredible comeback to knock PSG out of the Champions League
MADRID: Karim Benzema scored a remarkable hat trick as Real Madrid completed an incredible comeback to knock PSG out of the Champions League.
PSG took a 2-0 lead in the aggregate scoring thanks to Kylian Mbappe's first-half strike, but Benzema struck three goals after the break as Madrid won 3-2.
The setback adds to PSG's misery in the Champions League, as they fell from a winning position for the third time in as many years, having previously lost to Barcelona and Manchester United.
Madrid joins Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City in the competition's quarterfinals.
Both teams got off to a fast start, but it was PSG who had the early chances, and Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had to deny Mbappe twice.
After 25 minutes, Gianluigi Donnarumma saved Benzema's long-range shot with his fingertip.
Mbappe thought he had given the visitors the lead less than 10 minutes later, but his goal was ruled out due to Nuno Mendes being in an offside position.
Mbappe opened the scoring five minutes later, beating the offside trap and slotting the ball past Courtois.
Mbappe thought he had scored again shortly after the break, but his stunning finish was disallowed for offside once more.
Just after the hour mark, Benzema capitalized on Donnarumma's gaffe to tie the game at one.
Vinicius Junior had a great chance to tie the game on aggregate 10 minutes later, but he blazed his close-range shot over the crossbar.
Minutes later, Benzema made no mistake to make it 2-2 on aggregate, and seconds later, he completed a sensational hat trick as Madrid punished PSG's sloppiness from the start.
The France international scored his 309th goal in all competitions for Real Madrid, passing Alfredo Di Stefano for third-most in club history.
Despite reaching the semifinals last season and the final in 2020, PSG is still looking to win the Champions League for the first time in the club's history.
Edited - SportsAction / Inputs - Agency