Karim Benzema has been the most influential player in Real Madrid. Karim Benzema in his initial years was quiet. He went unnoticed in the Real Madrid jersey till Ronaldo was in Madrid. Benzema used to quite deliver his work and would create opportunities for his teammates in LaLiga as well as UCL....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Karim Benzema was used to play striker and used as a decoy by Real Madrid which used to drag defenders allowing Madrid Golden Boy Ronaldo the space to deliver his magic.
But when Ronaldo left in 2018 for Juventus Real Madrid attack was left with a void. Then came Karim Benzema. Benzema completely owned the Real Madrid attack. He became the central figure of Madrid’s attack.
Benzema’s career started in France with the Lyon B team. He soon got promoted to their first team. He spent 5 years at Lyon from 2004 to 2009. At Lyon, he scored 43 goals in 112 appearances.
In 2009 this young french talent was scouted and picked up by Real Madrid for a fee of 40 million. Since joining Real Madrid Benzema has had an illustrious career.
Los Blancos won UCL last season and this season’s UCL campaign is beginning. We decided to have a look at Benzema’s best performance in the Champions League(UCL) till now in his career.
Karim Benzema capatining Real Madrid in UCL
Benzema’s Best Performance in UCL
1. Hat-trick in 2nd leg Vs PSG in 2022
Benzema has become the focal point of Madrid’s attack. Last season he was everything for Los Blancos. He was the goal scorer as well as the creator. Benzema had a stellar season last season. He was a prime player which resulted in Madrid completing a double last year.
Coming into this match it was a highly anticipated match of the year. It was the PSG attack versus Madrid’s solid defense that kept things tight. In the first leg, PSG dominated the game and eventually won the game. PSG won the game by 1-0 thanks to Mbappe’s late goal in the game.
Coming into the second game all the pressure was on Madrid. It was anticipated that PSG would walk over Madrid. In the 2nd leg, it was just Karim Benzema’s show. Benzema scored a hattrick in the second half to eliminate PSG handsomely.
2. Hat-trick against Chelsea and win over two legs
After defeating PSG in the Round of 16 Madrid was high on confidence. Los Blancos came up against Chelsea, the current UCL holder of that season, Chelsea. In the first leg away at Stamford Bridge, it was rumored it would be a tough game.
But then again it was Karim Benzema who rose to the occasion. Benzema was brilliant on that night. He dribbled past tight Chelsea and scored an outstanding hat trick.
Benzema scored two quick goals in the first half which helped Los Blancos to take the lead.
Kai Havertz scored one goal and brought Chelsea back into the game. But in the second half, Benzema scored his third and completed his hat trick. With this hat trick, Benzema became the 4th player in UCL history to score back-to-back hat tricks. Benzema joins a list with Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Luiz Adrian.
Then in the second leg, Chelsea was excellent on the day. Chelsea outscored Real Madrid that day. Chelsea was leading 3-0 by 75 minutes.
It looked like Chelsea would pull off a miracle. Madrid pulled one goal and the game ended in a 4-4 aggregate on the day. The game went into extra time and then came the beast Karim Benzema scored a brilliant goal to eventually take Madrid into the semifinals on a 5-4 aggregate.
3. Hattrick against Auxerre in UCL group stage
Another of Benzema’s stellar performances came back in 2010. Real Madrid was in group G. Los Blancos was comfortably leading the table. They were up against Auxerre. Real Madrid dominated that game completely. Karim Benzema was brilliant on the night.
Benzema scored an outstanding hat trick. Benzema dribbled past the entire Auxerre and Benzema’s hattrick helped Real Madrid win the game handsomely and helped them to top the group that year.
