The lead-up to Real Madrid and PSG’s (-106 favorites) second Champions League matchup likely could not have been more agonizing for Karim Benzema and company. A 1-0 defeat in the first leg put one of the world’s soccer titans on the brink. Another outright defeat–or even loss on aggregate–would have given Real its third Round of 16 ousters in the last five seasons. Not exactly a mark you’d expect from a team accustomed to playing in the big games every year when flowers start to bloom.
Wednesday evening’s matchup at the hands of Kylian Mbappe and friends could not have started worse. A late first-half tally from the French superstar left Real Madrid reeling. They were roughly one-half of soccer away from another disappointing UCL showing.
That is until PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma had a late second-half goalie gaffe he won’t soon forget. His benefactor? Mbappe’s French teammate on the international stage: Benzema.
Donnarumma just let Real Madrid back into the tie 😳
(via @TUDNUSA)pic.twitter.com/pJzpdyd5sM
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 9, 2022
You watched the clip correctly. Your eyes do not deceive you. The bright Donnarumma–who was named Euro 2020 Player of the Tournament for his stellar goalkeeping this past summer–tried to clear the ball across his goalmouth when five different Real Madrid players were in the goal box. Did someone unplug his controller? Was he getting bored and wanted to play something else? Who knows!
Unfortunately for Donnarumma and the favored PSG, the brain fart ended up spelling out the beginning of the end. And Benzema had the pen to write it all out in a 3-1 stunner.
Luka Modric's nutmeg assist for Benzema's equalizer. 🥵 pic.twitter.com/tfzJPzKU3N
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 9, 2022
KARIM BENZEMA MAKES HISTORY WITH A HAT-TRICK!
Real lead and Benzema is now the third top scorer in Real history, tied with the great Alfredo Di Stefano. 💥 pic.twitter.com/DlXbmPRXGT
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 9, 2022
Karim Benzema's third hat-trick in the Champions League. Unforgettable.
⏰6⃣1⃣⚽️ Benzema
⏰7⃣6⃣⚽️ Benzema
⏰7⃣8⃣⚽️ Benzema #UCL pic.twitter.com/ayMuvrp8n3— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 9, 2022
A hat trick. For a 34-year-old elder statesman (whoa, not prepared to read that sentence). The oldest player to ever score three goals in one Champions League match.
Karim Benzema is the oldest player to score a hat trick in Champions League history at 34 years and 80 days old.
He did it when it mattered most for Real Madrid 🌟 pic.twitter.com/0XiLFUYcoY
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 9, 2022
Outside of his usual prowess, Benzema’s late flurry was actually enough to push Real Madrid forward to the Champions League quarterfinals. And while it hasn’t been the best season in central Spain, you’d be foolish to overlook a squad that’s already come back from the dead.
Benzema’s brilliance gave them such a chance. Here’s a hunch that it won’t be the last time.
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