Author of a hat-trick to eliminate Paris SG in the previous round, the French striker managed a new XXL performance which consolidates his place among the best attackers in the history of the competition.

He performed a "hat trick" (21st, 24th, 40th) for the fourth time in his career in C1, a total that only Cristiano Ronaldo (8), Lionel Messi (8) and Robert Lewandowski (5) exceeded.

Chelsea's Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy concedes the second goal from a header by Real Madrid's French striker Karim Benzema, during the Champions League quarter-final first leg, on April 6, 2022 at Stamford Bridge Glyn KIRK Stadium IKIMAGES/AFP

He signed his first two goals with a header, in a rather unusual register for the former Lyonnais, who sealed his hat-trick by taking advantage of a huge recovery error from goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

French striker Karim Benzema scores his third goal against Senegalese Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy in the Champions League quarter-final first leg on April 6, 2022 at Stamford Bridge Stadium Adrian DENNIS AFP

This result allows Madrid, who had not won in England since 2014, to take a big step towards the last four, before the return leg on Tuesday.

They stunned Chelsea, who looked as lost on the pitch as their future is unclear off, due to the sale process initiated by its Russian owner Roman Abramovich, who is facing sanctions due to the conflict in Ukraine.

After the defeat against Brentford (4-1) on Saturday in the Championship, the Londoners suffer a new defeat at home, which worries at the dawn of a crucial month of April for them.

A headed goal from Kai Havertz (40th) however allows them to keep hope.

French international N'Golo Kanté was substituted at half-time.

Chelsea's German midfielder Kai Havertz reduces the score (2-1) before half-time against Real Madrid's Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the Champions League quarter-final first leg on April 6, 2022 at the Stamford Bridge Stadium Adrian DENNIS AFP

Bayern is also aiming for the final at the Stade de France at the end of May.

But like Chelsea, it will be necessary to reverse the trend in six days.

The Munichers were surprised by outsider Villarreal, who scored early in the game through Arnaut Danjuma (8th).

Worse, they were dominated by the Spaniards.

Villareal's Dutch midfielder Arnaut Danjuma Groeneveld opens the scoring at home against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final first leg on April 6, 2022 Pierre-Philippe MARCOU AFP

Francis Coquelin thought he scored the break goal (19th), but he was flagged offside.

When the Germans pushed to equalize, the "Yellow Submarine" created counter opportunities.

The revenge at the Allianz Arena promises to be perilous for Kingsley Coman's teammates, who remain on an elimination in the quarterfinals last season, against PSG.

© 2022 AFP