Karim Benzema goal puts him on elite list of Champions League strikers with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Chelsea were taught a lesson in finishing in their defeat to Real Madrid with Karim Benzema opening the scoring.

The Blues were very much underdogs in the quarter-final tie but made a positive start with Joao Felix firing the ball at Los Blancos goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

But moments later Benzema put the home side in front
However, after relinquishing control for just a moment, Real Madrid struck through Benzema in cruel fashion.

A dinked ball over the top from Dani Carvajal saw Vinicius Jr strike at Kepa Arrizabalaga, whose save was palmed away to a waiting Benzema, who tucked in the rebound from close range.

Former Chelsea man Andy Townsend said on commentary for talkSPORT: “That is them. Just out of nothing.

“Vinicius knocks it back across the six-yard box, Kepa can only palm it into the path of the main man, Karin Benzema, I wondered whether Kepa could have come out and claimed the ball.

“This incredible Real Madrid team, again, find something out of nowhere.”

The goal is Benzema’s 20th in the Champions League against English opposition, a total only bettered by Lionel Messi (27), while he is part of a unique list of players with at least 90 goals in the competition.

Chelsea have played well and were on top in the early stages

Champions League scorers with 90 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo (140)
Lionel Messi (129)
Robert Lewandowski (91)
Karim Benzema (90)

Chelsea were then overrun and could not keep the ball as Real Madrid got back into their usual groove.

Vinicius Jr and Benzema continued to cause havoc and it looked like they were set to double their lead on several occasions.

Ben Chilwell was then sent off for pulling Rodrygo down to the floor after being caught goal-side.

Real Madrid then sealed a 2-0 win when Marco Asensio swept the ball into the net on 73 minutes.

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