Does Karim Benzema deserve to win a Ballon d'Or?
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(Reuters) --
A hat-trick by experienced striker Karim Benzema gave Real Madrid an emphatic 3-1 victory over defending European champions Chelsea FC in the first leg of their quarter-final the Champions League on Wednesday.
Benzema, 34, headed twice in three minutes during the first half and then capitalized on an error by Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy just after the break to put the Spaniards ahead before Tuesday's second leg. in Madrid.
Karim Benzema in the quarter-final against Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge on April 6, 2022. Credit: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Kai Havertz gave the “Blues” some hope for a moment when he headed in a pass from Jorginho in the 40th minute to make it 2-1.
But Chelsea's chances of a comeback were thwarted by Mendy's mistake in the 46th minute when, outside his box, he tried to pass Antonio Rudiger but Benzema intercepted and deflected the ball into an empty net.
That third goal at Stamford Bridge represents the French striker's 37th goal of the season.
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🇫🇷 The player of the moment, Karim Benzema
⚽️2 consecutive hat-tricks in the #ChampionsLeague
⚽️37 goals in the season
Does he deserve the Ballon d'Or?https://t.co/Vx99drPoNN pic.twitter.com/S01UrV6RBd
– SportsCNN (@sportscnn) April 6, 2022
In the other game of the day, Villarreal beat Bayern Munich 1-0 at their stadium.