Benzema’s quick-fire hat-trick for Real Madrid leaves PSG stunned
Paris Saint Germain’s hopes of being crowned European champions have been dashed for another season after a stunning Karim Benzema hat-trick saw Real Madrid progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
PSG, 1-0 up from the first leg in Paris, looked to have put the last-16 tie to bed when Kylian Mbappe scored, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead at the Bernabeu and a 2-0 lead on aggregate.
With 39 minutes on the clock, Neymar played a firsttime pass from inside his own half into the inside left channel which put Mbappe up against David Alaba. The Austrian cut off the obvious route to the far corner so the 23-year-old powered an effort past Thibault Courtois at the near post.
No one gave Madrid much of a chance of a comeback as the teams emerged following the half-time interval. But Benzema had other ideas and, incredibly, he scored three goals between the 61st and 78th minutes. PSG simply imploded, losing 3-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate to exit the competition.
Benzema’s first goal came about after some dithering in defence by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian rolled the ball across his own area to Vinicius Junior after being closed down by Benzema, and the ball was squared to the French striker and he fired home.
Madrid went ahead on the night and level in the tie when Benzema hammered a deflected effort home following a terrific threaded pass by Luka Modric. And, within just 12 seconds of the restart, the striker completed his hat-trick and turned the tie on its head.
Straight from kick-off PSG surrendered possession and Vinicius broke into the penalty box. He lost control, but Marquinhos’ failed clearance fell to Benzema who expertly flicked the ball home first time.
"We needed the fans and this is for them. It was a very difficult game but we pushed until the end and we deserve the win," said Benzema afterwards.
"We lost the first leg, they went 1-0 up, but our fans pushed us to give everything right to the final whistle."
Elsewhere last night, Manchester City were hardly tested as they formally confirmed their place in the quarterfinals with a 0-0 draw against Sporting Lisbon.
After winning the first leg of the last-16 tie 5-0 last month, City barely got out of second gear in the return game at the Etihad Stadium.
Gabriel Jesus did have a goal disallowed while Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling also worked visiting goalkeeper Antonio Adan, but Pep
Guardiola's side showed little urgency against a side clearly resigned to elimination.
Such was City's control that veteran goalkeeper Scott Carson was sent on for the latter stages, while youngsters James Mcatee and Luke Mbete also appeared in the second half.
Another of City's promising academy products, defender CJ Egan-riley was handed a place in the starting line-up, although that was enforced by the absences of Kyle Walker, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake. In all, Guardiola made six changes from the team that outplayed Manchester United on Sunday. Kevin De Bruyne, one booking away from a ban, sat out.