Karim Benzema netted a hat-trick in the second half of the second phase of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 games with PSG on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to help Real Madrid enter the quarterfinals of the tournament.
After losing 1-0 in the first match, Madrid looked at the exits after Kylian Mbappe added his goals in Paris by scoring during the first half.
A mistake of goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma opened the door for the fans of the thirteen-time winners.
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Benzema returned to parity in the second half and allowed Carlo Ancelotti’s side to win during the 60th minute.
A frantic 17 minutes included Benzema’s two goals. At the same time, an all-star PSG team, including players like Mbappe and his teammates Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr, failed to score once more in Europe’s premier club tournament.
On Wednesday, Real Madrid pulled off one of the greatest Champions League comebacks when Karim Benzema scored an incredible triple to topple Kylian Mbappe and knock Paris Saint-Germain out in the final 16.
Madrid was expected to be the latest victim of a Mbappe performance at Santiago Bernabeu after the 23-year-old took them to the ground for over an hour before firing in to give PSG ahead 1-0 at the end of the game and two goals ahead overall.
However, Madrid returned to the game with a vengeance after Benzema took advantage of a slip made by PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and then scored an unbelievable double in only two minutes.
The third one came only 8 seconds later after PSG had started their match.
The full-time whistle proclaimed their victory 3-2 on aggregate; the Madrid players fell to their knees and gazed at the sky, maybe in disbelief as much as they were in joy after having completed one of the most remarkable turnarounds of the club’s time.
Everyone was focused on Mbappe, The only player who was cheered by Madrid’s supporters before the game when they were treated to a close glimpse of the player they believe in having this summer.
Mbappe was on the ball, scoring an excellent goal and a superb second goal that was disallowed as offside after Mbappe could fool Thibaut Courtois with a stunning Dummy-finish.
To think that he could not even be 100 percent here following an injury in training on Monday caused doubt about his fitness.
What was supposed to become an event showcasing the world’s most dangerous player ended up being a memorable European day to Real Madrid, who again showed why they consider this their main rival.
Madrid was looking to hit PSG from the beginning, and it was evident in Dani Carvajal leaping and waving his hands towards the crowd to create a wave of sound.
At times, it worked. Vinicius Jr. cut down the left side, and Fede Valverde smashed through Mbappe However, the boost was only brief. PSG destroyed Madrid’s momentum, pulled away, and secured total control.
Mbappe was clear to make his first clear-cut pass in eight minutes.
Neymar is throwing a ball into the space to the left. The crowd was pleased, Mbappe made space, but this time he hit Courtois.
Madrid was a bit sluggish, but Madrid surrendered control. Mbappe was able to sneak over Eder Militao before Courtois could save.
A fantastic exchange with Lionel Messi and Marco Verratti allowed Neymar to shoot, but Courtois was on the ball again.
PSG seemed at ease; they dictated the play while feeling the fear. Madrid did not have any openings, Benzema curling just wide; however, they appeared less sluggish, heavier, and challenging to maneuver all over the field.
“Modric shines in the spotlight.”
Messi was able to get through the opposition and missed the target before Mbappe scored his first of his two goals blocked, driving into the corner and seeing his flag waved.
The goal was a foregone conclusion and, within the 39th minute, it was scored.
Carvajal could not get the ball back upfield and, with Madrid fully committed, Neymar arced another brilliant ball over the top.
Mbappe only had David Alaba before him when he got to the goal.
As he prepared to bend to the far corner, he fired an early stage, whipping a devastating shot through Courtois and into the nearby post.
Madrid attempted to restart the game at half-time; however, Mbappe continued the way he had left off, scoring the most brilliant but not scored goal that was disallowed.
He fooled Courtois by executing an amazing fake shot, destroying the Belgian, not even touching the ball before he slammed it into. The flag was raised, but the stadium was stunned.
The game was becoming less of an event, more of a Mbappe performance, until Benzema suddenly brought Madrid to the game.
He was chasing Nuno Mendes, who attempted to backpass Donnarumma, who turned wildly under pressure.
Vinicius was able to collect and return to Benzema, who could slot back.
There was a moment of hope, and the crowd was cheering Madrid on.
Vinicius missed the target as the ball swung kindly towards him in the box. Luka Modric followed Messi and then slid the ball into his hands.
Modric was Modric who sparked Madrid’s second goal, too, with a stunning sprint through midfield, allowing Vinicius to run clear to the left.
He then snuck inside and passed the ball to Modric, whose surprising reverse move brought Benzema, who completed.
Madrid was even on aggregate, and the goal was confirmed following a review by VAR.
After eight seconds, it was a shocker that they were ahead. PSG did not make the most of possession from the kick-off.
Rodrygo released Vinicius, and Marquinhos attempted clearance was spotted by Benzema, who drove to the right corner.
“This is how Madrid wins,” the crowd started to sing. They slowed down as Messi stood on a free-kick at the final minute of injury, but the ball went over, and the group began cheering again.
