Karim Benzema was once again Real Madrid’s hero, as they beat Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-final, despite Chelsea almost pulling off a miracle in an extraordinary game.
After winning against Southampton 6-0 at the weekend, Thomas Tuchel’s side looked like they had gained a lot of momentum. The Blues had early chances through Timo Werner and Antonio Rudiger. It was not long in the game when Chelsea drew first blood, with Mason Mount scoring a tidy finish in the 13th minute.
The rest of the first half was fairly quiet, with Real Madrid not even testing Edouard Mendy. Vinicius Junior was nowhere near as effective as the first leg.
Chelsea again started the second half the better team and the tall defender, Rudiger headed them level from a corner in the 51st minute. The game was all even at this point with Chelsea reducing the 2 goal deficit. From that moment on, the game was wide open. Both sides attacked their opponents’ goal, but Chelsea were getting the better chances.
In the 75th minute, Chelsea went ahead in the tie, as Timo Werner collected the ball from Mateo Kovacic on the left, drifted inside Dani Carvajal, and slotted it into the back of the net. At that moment, it seemed like the Blues would run off with the win.
The game took perhaps its biggest twist of the night just five minutes later, however, as substitute Rodrygo scored just two minutes after coming on. This goal was more about the magnificent assist from Luka Modric, putting it on a plate for the forward.
Christian Pulisic had the perfect chance to win the game in injury time, as he somehow missed the target from close range and instead the game went to extra time.
Of course, it was Benzema who made the big contribution in extra time, as Los Blancos pounced on the mistakes in the Chelsea defense, for the first time on the night. Benzema headed the ball in the net after Rudiger slipped in the penalty area.
Hala Madrid! Benzema for the ballon d’Or 2022