Several members of Chelsea’s trusted rearguard endured nightmares as a Karim Benzema hattrick put Real Madrid 3-1 up at the half-way mark in the Champions League quarter finals.
Vinicius Jr. caused Chelsea’s right side all manner of problems early on and proved too hot to handle for Andreas Christensen as Real Madrid took an early lead.
A one-two with Karim Benzema put Vinicius in behind Christensen before returning the favour with an inch-perfect cross for Benzema. The Frenchman was curiously unmarked, though that should take nothing away from his truly superb headed finish that left Edouard Mendy grasping at thin air.
One quickly became two when the veteran striker bagged a brace with another headed goal. Luka Modric provided the pass with Benzema guiding his header beyond Mendy after clever movement saw off Thiago Silva.
The next goal was vital and Chelsea grabbed it through Kai Havertz. The German was brave when putting his head in amongst the boots to halve the deficit after latching on to Jorginho’s delivery.
Thomas Tuchel rang the changes at half-time, but Edouard Mendy and Antonio Rudiger gifted Benzema his hattrick goal in bizarre fashion.
An aimless long ball saw Mendy control the ball 15 yards outside of his area. A sloppy pass to Rudiger set up a 50/50 between he and Benzema with the striker coming out on top. Needless to say, Benzema passed into the open goal from distance to make it 3-1.
Rudiger and Mendy scored just a five and four respectively in our…
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