Karim Benzema ends brave Chelsea fightback and dumps holders out of Champions League

Karim Benzema came to Real Madrid’s Champions League rescue again and helped the Spanish giants end Chelsea’s reign as European champions.

The Blues were written off heading to the Bernabeu but produced a stunning fightback that put them within 15 minutes of qualifying for the semi finals, only for substitute Rodrygo to send the game to extra-time, before Benzema’s matchwinning contribution.

Thomas Tuchel began the evening by handing Timo Werner a huge vote of confidence by giving his compatriot a starting berth following his devastating performance against Southampton on Saturday.

The German’s energy and pace caused problems from the off and it was from one of his trademark forward thrusts that Chelsea hauled themselves back into the contest.

Werner failed to take Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s pass in his stride, but his touch inadvertently played in Mason Mount and the England international made no mistake with a snap shot that curled perfectly beyond Thibaut Courtois in the 15th minute.

Chelsea controlled the remainder of the half, with their relentless pressing stifling opposition that had been afforded far too much respect and space in the return leg at Stamford Bridge a week ago.

The second-half began in exactly the same fashion and it was no surprise when Antonio Rudiger squared the tie on aggregate with a thumping header just six minutes after the restart.

That goal, however, seemed to galvanise the hosts and it required a last-ditch intervention from Reece James to prevent Benzema a goal that would have swung the momentum back in the Spanish side’s favour.

<p lang=«en» dir=«ltr» xml:lang=«en»>â½ï¸ 38 goals this season â½ï¸ 83 in the #UCL â½ï¸ 317 for Real Madrid Karim Benzema, a footballing marvel ðª He has put #RMCF ahead on