Although Thomas Tuchel had issued a storm warning concerning the center forward of the Blues and the ability of Real to sublimate himself on special occasions, at a press conference on Tuesday, he probably did not imagine his people being swept away so.
We could talk about tactics, the defensive block which was the strength of Chelsea and took it to European consecration last year, having been open to the four winds against Real.
We could talk about individual failures, with an Andreas Christensen manhandled by Vinicius Junior before being released at the break, or Edouard Mendy, guilty on the third goal.
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
But the success of Real comes down to this name: Karim Benzema, irresistible, sharp as ever, who feels all the blows and misses almost nothing.
Almost, because shortly before the break he had missed the target on an opportunity in the area that we would have gladly described as unmissable for him (43rd).
Benzema is unique
From the 10th minute, he had launched the first dangerous action of a superb backheel in the middle of the race for Federico Valverde who had shifted Vinicius, the Brazilian only finding the crossbar.
But his first goal, where he combined in midfield with Toni Kroos, before putting it back into space for Vinicius on a one-two, then rushing into the box to take the cross back with a header and catapulting the ball into the skylight at the near post is enough to explain what is unique about Benzema (0-1, 21st).
Less than three minutes later, rebelotte.
Yes, Luka Modric's blind cross is sublime, but the movement and above all the perfect gesture of letting the ball bounce on his head, rather than hitting it, to put it in the side netting opposite Mendy, is a perfect mix. of technique, flair and composure (0-2, 24th).
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
So, admittedly, the third goal is a gift from the Chelsea goalkeeper, who came out of his box and who missed a pass for Rüdiger from 5 meters, leaving Benzema to push the ball 20 meters into the empty goal, while the second half had not resumed for 50 seconds (1-3, 46th), but he rewards his relentless pressing.
Mission impossible for Chelsea?
With his 37 goals this season, including 11 in the Champions League, a record for a French striker in one season, "KB9" once again amazed in a great game.
The joy of the French striker of Real Madrid Karim Benzema after his goal scored against the Senegalese goalkeeper of Chelsea Edouard Mendy, during the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League, on April 6, 2022 at Stamford Bridge Stadium JAVIER SORIANO AFP
With that two-goal advantage, his side have a foot and something in the semi-finals, although the abolition of the away goals rule gives the Londoners a small chance thanks to Kai Havertz's header from a header ( 1-2, 40th).
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
Romelu Lukaku, entering the second half, also missed a huge opportunity by uncrossing his head too much (69th), while Thibaut Courtois made his contribution with impeccable parries on attempts by Reece James (15th, 84th) and a strike by Cesar Azpilicueta who started in the skylight (50th).
But six days from now, in a jam-packed Santiago-Bernabeu and especially with a Benzema capable of such brilliance at any moment, defending the European title now looks like an almost impossible mission for Chelsea.
© 2022 AFP