Karim Benzema scored two magnificent headers in the space of just three first-half minutes and slotted in another goal after the break to give his Real Madrid a commanding 3-1 lead over Chelsea in the two-legged Champions League quarter-final tie. The Frenchman showed why he’s widely considered the best player in the world with yet another breath-taking display on Wednesday night.Vinicius Jr. has already hit the crossbar early on in the pouring London rain as Los Blancos looked dangerously ready to pile more misery on the Blues. Chelsea were still reeling following their defeat to Brentford last weekend, and, by tonight’s account – they will need some time to recover. But Benzema won’t wait!The French maestro played a neat one-two with Vinicius, sending the ball down the left for the Brazilian. He continued his forward run and met the subsequent cross majestically from nearly 20 metres out. Such was the precision and the power of the header that not even Edouard Mendy could get any sort of touch on it. Simply stunning.Just three minutes later, Benzema ensured that any remaining doubters would reconsider their stance. Another technically sublime header, directed into the far corner beyond the outstretched Mendy to make it 2-0 to Real Madrid. The away fans were dancing in ecstasy, and the Blues were shrugging their shoulders. What could they do when there’s no way to stop the in-form Benzema, who’s already bagged 37 goals this season?The only thing the Blues could do is to try and score themselves – because defending was proving too difficult. And they did score.Kai Havertz, one of the players to survive Tuchel’s swapping and changing, scored a header of his own after a pinpoint cross from Jorginho. The goal itself wasn’t as spectacular as either of Benzema’s, but hey – they all count just the same!The Blues were prepared to go out all guns blazing and try to level the scores, but their over-eagerness cost them dearly shortly after the restart. Mendy made a mess out of his attempted pass to Antonio Rudiger, giving Benzema the chance to intercept and roll the ball into the unguarded net. Would any self-respecting striker turned such a chance down? Absolutely not. It was 3-1. It was probably the goal that has killed off the Blues’ chances of defending the title they’d won last year. And such a silly goal to concede. Unforgivable.Karim Benzema scores back-to-back hat tricks in the Champions League 👑 pic.twitter.com/6dbxizTqH4— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 6, 2022 Former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois produced a fantastic save to keep out a Cezar Azpilicueta’s piledriver that seemed destined for the top corner. When Real Madrid players are on top of their game, even Chelsea look powerless to hurt them. The introduction of Romelu Lukaku in the second half was supposed to offer something new, but it only brought more frustration as the Belgian missed a great chance to reduce his team’s deficit. This definitely wasn’t Chelsea’s night.In the end, it’s Karim Benzema who will hog the praise and the headlines – and deservedly so. The French international has now two hat-tricks in two successive Champions League matches. He destroyed Paris Saint-Germain single-handedly and now he’s done the same to Chelsea. Take a bow, Monsieur Benzema!UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUEQuarter-final, first legTuesdayManchester City – Atletico Madrid 1-0 (0-0)/De Bruyne 70/Benfica – Liverpool 1-3 (0-2)/Nunez 49 – Konate 17, Mane 34, Diaz 87/WednesdayChelsea – Real Madrid 1-3 (1-2)/Havertz 40 – Benzema 21, 24, 46/Villareal – Bayern 1-0 (1-0)/Danjuma 8/
