Benzema shines as PSG again in the Champions League

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The most high-profile tie of the last-16 of the Champions League concluded on Wednesday night, as Real Madrid recorded a 3-1 win over PSG at the Santiago Bernabeu. The victory saw Los Blancos progress to the quarter-final of the competition 3-2 on aggregate.

With just half an hour of the tie remaining, PSG looked set to progress, as Kylian Mbappe had given the Parisians a two-goal aggregate lead in the French capital. However, the French giants again flattered to deceive in the knockout stages of European football’s elite competition.

It has become a habit they cannot shake off, no matter who features in their team.

The summer signing of Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi was designed to boost PSG’s credentials in the Champions League. Yet, once again the Parisians have failed to win the competition that they wish to win so badly.

PSG may have crumbled, but their defeat owes much to a sensational performance from forward Karim Benzema. The veteran forward scored a second-half hat-trick in 17 minutes to dump his compatriots out of the competition.

The treble makes the 34-year-old the oldest player ever to score a hat-trick in the Champions League.

Benzema is enjoying a brilliant Indian summer in his career, as he has now scored 30 club goals this season, while also producing ten assists. Those are numbers of one of the best forwards in the world.

Those questioning Benzema’s ability to lead the Real Madrid line earlier in his career are now eating their words.

Since the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo from the Spanish giants, Benzema has been their attacking talisman, taking on responsibility and ageing like a fine wine. If the record competition holders are to win their 14th European Cup this term, then they have to keep Benzema fit and firing.

For PSG it is yet another season of wondering what might have been in the Champions League. They will have to watch the remainder of the competition knowing that they were less than 30 minutes away from progressing to the quarter-finals.