Champions League: Real Madrid can still thank Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema after his goal against Chelsea, April 27, 2021. AFP - JAVIER SORIANO

Text by: Farid Achache Follow

3 min

Once again the French striker held his rank by equalizing against Chelsea this Tuesday, April 27 in Madrid (1-1).

Karim Benzema saves the furniture after Christian Pulisic's opener.

Chelsea leave with the advantage of the goal scored on the outside.

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The Real goalkeeper had a bad start to the evening in Madrid on the lawn of the Alfredo-Di Stéfano Stadium. Already in danger from the tenth minute, Thibaut Courtois was trapped four minutes later when Christian Pulisic opened his foot to send the ball into the net.

Pulisic had already been the initiator of the fear in the Madrid camp when he headed at the far post for Timo Werner who stumbled on Courtois, decisive on the ground with his right foot.

In the absence of Sergio Ramos (injured left calf and affected by Covid-19), Zinedine Zidane had chosen to repeat the experience of a three-center defense, with Raphaël Varane surrounded by Nacho and Eder Militao.

On the opening goal of Chelsea, Pulisic bypassed Thibaut Courtois on the right and scored with his right foot.

Raphaël Varane and Nacho Fernandez couldn't do anything on the goal line.

Karim Benzema, still there

But the strong man of Real, Karim Benzema, was able to put to the place a team of Real which seemed to sink at the beginning of the first period. On his goal, Benzema controlled a ball with his head and followed with a splendid volley of the right foot (29th). In the 24th minute, the former OL player had already unleashed a powerful strike with his left foot from around twenty meters which ended on the left post of Edouard Mendy.

The French center forward thus marks the 71st goal of his career in the Champions League and his sixth in nine games played with Real in C1 this season. He thus equals the legend of Real Madrid Raúl Gonzalez in the 4th place of the best scorers of the competition. Only Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski have done better in the history of the Champions League. In the second half, neither team took the lead even though Chelsea and Timo Werner once again put Thibaut Courtois (48th) in danger. However, the Londoners multiplied the offensives, projecting themselves quickly thanks to an impeccable ball exit, orchestrated by a still flawless N'Golo Kanté, multiplying good placements and judicious races. At the 88th,the Madrilenian Toni Kroos tries a low shot while power countered by Kanté. 

Real Madrid, hung at home, vying to reach their fourth C1 final in five years, who returned to the fight to defend their La Liga title, will have to rely again on Karim Benzema on Wednesday 5 May for the return match.

The English Chelsea led by Thomas Tuchel return home with their duty almost done, after a good performance. 

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