Karim Benzema is almost single-handedly keeping the Spanish giants on the path to a record-extending 14th European Cup — and a fifth for himself — and powering them to regaining the La Liga title.
Back-to-back Champions League hat tricks just reinforce the enduring value of the France international’s clinical finishing to Real Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti sees so much more being provided by the 34-year-old forward he compares to a fine wine.
This latest goal burst could end Chelsea’s title defense, barring the type of second-leg collapse by Madrid that Paris Saint-Germain endured last month at the the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Benzema now has 37 goals in 36 games in all competitions this season, including the three that turned around the last-16 meeting with PSG.
Of Madrid’s last 11 goals, 10 have been scored by the mainstay of the team for the last 13 years.
The first two at Stamford Bridge were thumping headers inside three first-half minutes in the driving rain, while the third was gifted to him in a manner that raised doubts about whether Chelsea can muster a comeback in Madrid on Tuesday.
Chelsea had given itself hope of a comeback when Kai Havertz reduced the deficit with a header from Jorginho's cross five minutes before halftime.
Chelsea's slack defending proved costly after only a minute of the second half.
When the ball came to Edouard Mendy about 30 yards from goal, the goalkeeper brought it down with his chest. Rather than clearing the ball down the field, he sent a short pass to the sluggish Antonio Rüdiger. With Mendy still outside the penalty area, it was a gift for Benzema to intercept before striking into the unprotected net.
