UEFA Champions League

UCL wrap: Benzema hat-trick fires Real Madrid past Chelsea, Villarreal stun Bayern

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Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates scoring againsr Chelsea
  • Post published:April 6, 2022

A sublime Karim Benzema hat-trick guided Real Madrid to a 3-1 win over Chelsea in the Uefa Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash at Stamford Bridge while, in the other game, Villarreal stunned Bayern Munich by winning 2-0 in Spain.

Chelsea 1-3 Real Madrid

Karim Benzema’s hat-trick fired Real Madrid to a stunning 3-1 win over Chelsea that put the Champions League holders on the brink of elimination after a dramatic quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.

Benzema produced a masterclass at Stamford Bridge as the France striker netted twice in the first half with two perfectly taken headers.

Kai Havertz reduced the deficit before the interval, but Benzema punished a woeful mistake from Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy in the second half to complete his treble.

It was the sublime Benzema’s second successive Champions League hat-trick after he single-handedly inspired their epic comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the last-16 second leg.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side are in pole position to advance to the semi-finals as they return to Madrid for the second leg on 12 April.

After losing to Chelsea in last season’s Champions League semi-finals, Real will have the opportunity to exact revenge at the Bernabeu.

Villarreal 1-0 Bayern Munich

Villarreal inflicted a shock 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich on Wednesday as Arnaut Danjuma’s strike boosted the Spanish team’s hopes of causing a huge upset in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Danjuma diverted in Dani Parejo’s shot in the eighth minute at La Ceramica to seal a surprise win, with Bayern perhaps even fortunate not to be further behind going into the second leg in Germany next week.

Gerard Moreno hit the post and then curled a long-range effort agonisingly wide after Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer had skewed a clearance, briefly leaving his own net gaping.

Julian Nagelsmann’s six-time European champions will still be heavy favourites to overturn the deficit at the Allianz Arena, but Villarreal showed again they are not to be underestimated, having already sent Juventus crashing out in the last 16.