Karim Benzema scored a brilliant hat-trick to leave Chelsea with a mountain to climb in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.
In the space of four first-half minutes, Benzema planted a pair of stunning headers past Edouard Mendy to put Real in control at Stamford Bridge.
Kai Havertz pulled one back for the holders with a brave header five minutes before the interval but Chelsea were the makers of their own downfall, Benzema capitalising on a terrible Mendy pass a minute after the restart to complete consecutive trebles in the competition.
Dan Kilpatrick was at Stamford Bridge to rate the Chelsea players...
Edouard Mendy - 4
Powerless to stop Benzema’s sublime headers but guilty of a shocking error for the Frenchman’s third, underselling a pass to Rudiger, allowing the striker to pounce.
Andreas Christensen - 3
Dragged out of position and beaten for pace by Vinicius Junior for Benzema’s first goal, and caught the wrong side for his second. Hooked at half-time, having failed to endear himself to the Barcelona fans.
Thiago Silva - 5
Flat footed as Luka Modric’s cross sailed over him for Benzema’s second goal but stood up well whenever his young compatriot Vinicius ran at him. Saw a header fly just over in the first-half.
KARIM BENZEMA STOP THAT! 🎯
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 6, 2022
He had no right to score that! Ridiculous header 💥#UCL pic.twitter.com/jWtW2l1kcZ
Antonio Rudiger - 5
The best of a bad bunch in the first-half but weak and slow to react to Mendy’s horror pass for Benzema’s hat-trick goal a minute after the restart.
Reece James - 6
Tested Thibaut Courtois either side of half-time, the first with a direct free-kick, and was involved in the build-up to Chelsea’s goal with a lively dart inside. Caused Ferland Mendy problems with being at his decisive best.
N’Golo Kante - 4
Part of a midfield which was overrun in the first-half, the Frenchman offered none of his usual protection to the back four and suffered the indignity of being hooked at the interval for Kovacic, who was a big miss from the off.
Jorginho - 5
Left Luka Modric all alone to chase the ball ahead of Benzema’s second goal, but went some way to redeeming himself by crossing for Havertz to score. Was outclassed by the brilliant Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro.
Cesar Azpilicueta - 7
Involved in Chelsea’s two best chances of the second-half, forcing a spectacular flying save from Courtois and crossing for Lukaku. Solid on the left of the defence with Fede Valverde the least threatening of Real’s front three.
Mason Mount - 6
Worked his socks off and tried to make things happen on the ball, causing Real problems in the second-half. Tried his luck from range and had a close-range shot blocked.
Christian Pulisic - 5
Failed to trouble Real on a largely anonymous return to the side, and replaced on the hour.
Kai Havertz - 7
Scored a brave diving header to give Chelsea hope and looked the Blues’ biggest goal threat all night.
Subs
Mateo Kovacic (N’Golo Kante, 46’) - 7
Helped Chelsea to establish a midfield foothold in the second-half and really should have started the game, not least because he knows Modric so well.
Hakim Ziyech (Christensen, 46’) - 5
Moved the ball around tidily but could not deliver the moment of brilliance he was presumably brought on to produce. Snapped at a late effort which flew over the bar.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Jorginho, 64’) - 6
Occasionally sloppy in the face of Real’s press but added some bite and a physical presence to the middle of the park as the Blues improved after the interval.
Romelu Lukaku (Pulisic, 64’) - 5
Planted a free header on to the outside of the post when he should have hit the target. It may well prove a crucial moment in the tie.
