6th April, 2022
Karim Benzema grabbed a hat-trick as Real Madrid thrashed defending champions Chelsea 3-1 in the first leg of the Champions League at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea now have a mountain to climb in the second leg next week.
The homers form has dipped in recent time, as they lost 4-1 at home to Brentford last weekend.
Madrid opened scoring on 21 minutes. Vinicius Junior beat his man and slung in a cross towards Benzema, who evaded his marker and planted a fine header into the top left corner from close in.
Three minutes later, Luka Modric handed Benzema the simplest of tasks from close range after the cross evaded the keeper, and he made no mistake with his header into the bottom right corner.
Chelsea pulled one back five minutes before half time. Jorginho sent a superb cross into the box. Kai Havertz latched on to it and from close range plants a header inside the right post, leaving Thibaut Courtois beaten.
Benzema got his hat-trick on 46 minutes after an error from the keeper.