UCL: Benzema leads Real Madrid fightback

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Real Madrid 3 -  1 Paris Saint Germain (3-2 on aggregate)

Karim Benzema scored an incredible second-half hat-trick as Real Madrid produced a stirring fightback at the Bernabeu to reach the Champions League quarter-finals at the expense of PSG,

Real Madrid 3 - 1 PSG

Kylian Mbappe's first-half goal had given the French side a deserved two-goal aggregate lead. This looked to have put Mauricio Pochettino's side well on course for the last eight.

However, a mistake by PSG's Gianluigi Donnarumma proved the catalyst for a dramatic recovery, with Benzema turning home after the Italian dawdled in possession.

Luka Modric's intricate pass made Benzema's second as he levelled the tie against a panicked PSG. AS the visitors attempted to regroup, Benzema drove a low effort into the bottom right corner seconds after the restart to settle the tie.

UEFA Champions League 2021/22 - Round of 16, 2nd leg - Real Mdrid 3:1 Paris Saint-Germain - Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid - March 9, 2022

Will PSG ever win the Champions League?

And after reaching the final and semi-finals in consecutive seasons, this felt like a backwards step for an expensively assembled squad. They are still prone to monumental collapses in this competition.

This defeat was every bit as shattering as their 6-1 thrashing by Barcelona in 2017. Who can forget their last-16 defeat by Manchester United in 2019? This defeat was even more annoying for the Ligue 1 leaders given they had not lost a Champions League away game after leading at half-time since 2001.

This defeat will only add to discussion about the long-term future of  Paris St-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino. After the match, he spoke with the media: "The first goal completely changed the game. For an hour, we were better than Real Madrid. The atmosphere changed in the stadium.

"We made some mistakes after that, we can't say we didn't. The worst feeling is that we were the better side, but we lost the tie in 10 minute"

One of our readers from Paris told us: "This has changed the perception of him now. We played really well in the first game but many fans want him gone at the end of the season now."

Reaction from Real Madrid

Real Madrid hero Karim Benzema told the media: "In the first leg, we have to say we were lucky to leave there only losing 1-0. But we knew it would be different in Madrid.

"We pushed, we conceded a goal, but we were confident that we would have chances. It's a big Champions League evening and we showed we're a big club.

"We knew they're a team that if you put them under pressure, they don't panic, but it's more difficult for them."

Highlights of the match from BT Sport

Former Real Madrid striker Michael Owen told BT Sport: "Real have not been at the top of their game for a few years but the club has the know-how and belief when they go into a stadium."

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