10 remarkable stats about Benzema after Champions League hat-trick

Karim Benzema’s hat-trick in the Champions League first-leg over Chelsea has Real Madrid with one foot in the semi-finals after an impressive 3-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.

The France international helped inspire Carlo Ancelotti’s side to a comfortable triumph against their Premier League opponents with Madrid now strong favourites to progress into the last four.

Benzema just seems to be getting better and better season-on-season and his scintillating performance on away turf was the difference between the two European powerhouses.

The 34-year-old fired Los Blancos into an early two-goal lead, beating Edouard Mendy with two excellent headed finishes – the first a bullet header from Vinicius Junior’s cross and the second a cultured glance into the bottom corner from close range.

Chelsea upped their game before the break and were rewarded when Kai Havertz halved the deficit on the brink of halftime.

After chasing down what appeared a lost cause just seconds after the restart, Benzema was rewarded for his admirable work rate, capitalising on a slack Mendy pass before slotting into an empty net to complete a wonderful hat-trick.

Benzema was replaced in the latter stages – Ancelotti likely keeping him sharp for next week’s return leg – as Madrid cruised to a memorable Champions League win against the competition’s reigning champions.

“Benzema is the best No.9 in the world,” Thibaut Courtois said post-match. “It’s a shame that I couldn’t stop their goal as the ball hit my palm, but it’s a good victory in difficult circumstances. The tie isn’t over, we have to win at home.”

“Benzema helps the team in build-ups, he presses, he’s always moving – so difficult to mark him. The complete player,” Madrid boss Ancelotti explained