Karim Benzema’s hat-trick for puts Chelsea on verge of exit

A hat-trick by Karim Benzema, including two fine headers in between three first-half minutes, acquired Real Madrid a 3-1 win at reigning European heroes Chelsea in their Champions League quarter-last first leg.

Benzema, 34, scored his hat-trick when he jumped on an error by Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy soon after halftime to place the Spaniards in charge of the tie before Tuesday’s second leg in Madrid.

Kai Havertz had reestablished a desire to the Blues when he headed in a calculated pass from Jorginho in the 40th minute to make it 2-1.

Although, Chelsea’s possibilities of a comeback were scattered by Mendy’s slip-up in the 46th minute when, outside his box, he attempted to pass to Antonio Rudiger just for Benzema to block and guide the ball into the net for his 37th goal of the season

The France striker shook Chelsea when he converted pinpoint crosses with headers, first from Vinicius Jr from the left in the 21st minute and afterward from Luka Modric on the directly in the 24th, leaving Mendy with zero chance on one or the other event.

“They’re very important goals. I’m happiest to have scored the third as I missed one in the first half and I was thinking about that chance because it’s very important to score goals. Then I got another and I’m very happy,” Benzema told.

“Today we came out to win, to show we’re Real Madrid. Things worked out well for us as we played well, from the first minute to the last,” he added.