Karim Benzema scored another hat-trick to lead Real Madrid to a 3-1 away victory against defending champions Chelsea in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League in London on Wednesday. The French forward scored a hat-trick in the previous match against Paris Saint-Germain, helping Real Madrid mount a comeback in the round of 16.
Benzema found the net twice within three minutes at Stamford Bridge with two brilliant headers, putting the visitors ahead 2-0 in the 24th minute. However, Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel's team did not give up and reduced the deficit through Kai Havertz before the end of the first half.
But Benzema capitalized on a mistake by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and completed his hat-trick in the first minute of the second half, slotting the ball into an empty net following a poor pass. Real Madrid, currently top of La Liga, will have a better chance of qualifying for the semi-finals when they play the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu next week.
