Man City make their Champions League mark but Benzema keeps Madrid alive

“We have to do a magical thing,” said Karim Benzema after Real Madrid performed another Houdini act in the Champions League to escape only 4-3 down from Tuesday’s thrilling semi-final, first leg against Manchester City.

Benzema set up what should be a special night at the Santiago Bernabeu on May 4 by scoring twice to take his tally for the season to 41 goals in as many games.

Without the Frenchman, Madrid’s quest for a 14th European crown would have long since sunk.

Benzema scored hat-tricks against both Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea in the past two rounds as Real walked a tightrope to reach the last four for the 30th time.

Real Madrid’s French striker Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring a penalty kick and his team third goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match between Manchester City and Real Madrid, at the Etihad Stadium, in Manchester, on April 26, 2022. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

The competition’s anthem was again lustily booed before kick-off by City fans who have not forgotten the financial fair play charges laid against their club by UEFA.

Had City not successfully appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, they would have been banned from the Champions League for the past two seasons.

Real Madrid’s French striker Karim Benzema after scoring a penalty kick and his team third goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match between Manchester City and Real Madrid, at the Etihad Stadium, in Manchester, on April 26, 2022. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

It was the first time the City fans had something to cheer in a semi-final.

When the sides met at this stage in 2016, Madrid edged a cagey tie 1-0 on aggregate.

Last season, City swept aside Paris Saint-Germain