"Best player in the world" - Fans hail Karim Benzema as a 'master of his craft' for stunning showing in Chelsea vs Real Madrid

Karim Benzema scored two audacious headers as Real Madrid took a 2-1 lead against Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. The quarter-final first-leg game at Stamford Bridge provided an engaging first half.

It started with Vinicius Jr. racing down the left hand side of the Blues defense, latching onto a Benzema pass. He then placed a fantastic left-footed cross in for the Frenchman to rise and plant a powerful headed effort past Edouard Mendy.

Moments later, Real Madrid broke once again with some elegant play from Luka Modric on the right flank as he swept a magnificent cross into the Blues box. In what looked like an impossible angle, Benzema curved a header past Mendy, scoring a remarkable second goal of the game.

He continues his unbelievable scoring form in the Champions League this season. He had already blown Paris Saint-Germain away in the Round of 16 with a scintillating hat-trick.

Chelsea can't afford to let themselves get frustrated following Karim Benzema's brilliance for Real Madrid

Chelsea looked shell-shocked and their confidence had dropped following two incredible headers from Benzema.

Prior to the French star's first goal, the Blues looked in the zone as they prepared to go toe-to-toe with Los Blancos. But there is now a sense of nervousness, every time Real Madrid break the defense looks fearful.

For good reason, Benzema has been monstrous, almost unmarkable and unplayable. He could've easily scored a hat-trick as well. However, another Real Madrid break saw him put a chance just wide of the post.

Chelsea are pressing but now with the same conviction with which they had begun the game looking like a team with a plan. Kai Havertz has given them hope with a fine headed goal of his own and the tie is delicately poised.

Thomas Tuchel's side will now look to turn not just this game around but the entire tie around.

Should they fail to even the affair, they will head to the Santiago Bernabeu knowing they'll have to deal with the pressure of the home contingent.

About the author

Matthew is a European and international football journalist at Sportskeeda who has been covering news, rumors and match reports for close to 3 years. Learning creative writing from University of Essex, he combined his skills and passion for football take up writing for the sport professionally.

Matthew always strives to go beyond a story and offer unique and lesser-known insights, while maintaining an unbiased tone in his articles. His reporting exploits at the company have helped him gain a humungous readership of 25 million, with one of his articles raking in a whopping 724,000 reads.

A Manchester United fan since childhood, Matthew admired Sir Alex Ferguson for his loyalty and brave coaching style. His favorite footballer is Thierry Henry, believing the Frenchman to be uniquely talented and charismatic. An ardent Three Lions fan, England's penalty shootout win over Colombia in 2018 is his favorite FIFA World Cup moment of all time, and he believes that Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe will have a Ballon d’Or duopoly after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

He also follows his local EFL League Two clubs AFC Wimbledon and Sutton United, and spends his free time watching and writing about professional wrestling. He also likes to work out, watch movies and go for night outs.

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