Real Madrid overcame Chelsea 5-4 on aggregate courtesy of Modric's brilliant assist and Benzema's extra-time goal to go through to the semi-finals of Champions League.
Follow Us
After probably this season’s most exciting 120 minutes of Champions League football at Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night, Real Madrid went through to the final four of the competition. The Los Blancos overcame holders Chelsea with an aggregate scoreline of 5-4. Chelsea went into the match needing to overturn a two goal deficit after losing the first leg 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. Thomas Tuchel’s side almost did that in style by scoring three goals on Tuesday, but a superb assist from Luka Modic allowed Rodrygo to pull one back for the hosts and then, Karim Benzema’s extra time goal sealed their passage into the semi-finals.
Read more:
Most Valuable Player. pic.twitter.com/5RAEDj71nD
— Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) April 12, 2022
It was an end-to-end mouthwatering encounter in Madrid and the Los Blancos once again needed their veterans to step up. Just when it looked like the Blues had completed a remarkable comeback, Modric produced a moment of magic in the 80th minute to force the game to extra time.
Marcelo gave the ball to Modric on the left side, the Croatian took one touch, looked up, saw the run of Rodrygo into the box and delivered a sensational cross with the outside of his right foot. The Brazilian volleyed home past Edouard Mendy and into the back of the net.
The footballing world was stunned by the quality of the pass delivered by the 36-year-old midfielder. He couldn’t have placed it any better and the 20-year-old winger converted it with a first-time finish to make it 4-4 on aggregate.
Rio Ferdinand said: “This pass from Luka Modric is why I lost my voice today! That’s illegal, that. I was screaming, Luka, Muka whatever his name was. Phenomenal.”
And then, in the 95th minute, Vincius Junior and Benzema combined to secure the all important goal for Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Eduardo Camavinga released Vinicius down the left flank and the Brazilian delivered a perfect cross for Benzema to head home from 10 yards. It was the Frenchman’s 38th goal of the season in all competitions.
At 34, Benzema is showing no signs of slowing down, having scored four of Real Madrid’s five goals in the two-legged tie. It was Benzema’s hat-trick in London that helped the La Liga giants to keep one foot in the semi-finals.
This is not the first time that Modric and Benzema have delivered brilliant performances to secure victory from the jaws of defeat. In the second leg of the last-16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain, Benzema netted a hat-trick in the last 30 minutes of the game to secure a 3-2 aggregate win. While Benzema was scoring goals for fun, Modric was the architect of the victory.
After Wednesday’s incredible result, Modric told BT Sport: “Unbelievable to describe this game. We were dead until the goal we scored. Chelsea scored three goals, maybe the first a bit lucky from a deflection. I can’t say we played badly. They used their chances well and scored goals.”
“We didn’t give up. We kept believing, fighting and in the end showed huge character. It was another incredible night, what a sweet tasting loss. We didn’t give up until the end.”
La Liga: Real Madrid notch hard-fought win as Atletico, Valencia also register wins
