Karim Benzema scored a lovely hattrick in the second half of the second leg as Real Madrid came from behind to overcome PSG 3-2 on aggregate and advance to the Champions League quarter-finals.
PSG won the first leg 1-0 in Paris, and Kylian Mbappe produced a fantastic goal in the second leg to give them a 2-0 aggregate lead at halftime in Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side appeared to be on the verge of collapse as the finish line approached, with costly defensive blunders giving Benzema two goals.
Karim Benzema scored three goals, but the first came as a result of Gianluigi Donnarumma’s hesitating on a back pass, while the third came as a result of Marquinhos’ awful clearance.
Between the 61st and 78th minutes, Benzema scored all three goals, causing uncertainty in the PSG defense, which the veteran forward took advantage of.
The first half began with the home side having more possession of the ball, but PSG appeared to be the more dangerous team when attacking on the counter-attack.
Mbappe tried to square to Neymar early in the game, but Thibault Courtois cut it out, and the Belgian quickly saved efforts from both the Frenchman and the Brazilian.
In the first half, Real Madrid had several chances, all of which fell to Benzema, who forced a sensational diving save from Gianluigi Donnarumma after 25 minutes, followed by a number of more straightforward saves from headed efforts.
Just after the half-hour mark, Mbappe had the ball in the back of the net, but it was ruled out due to Nuno Mendes’ offside before he cut the ball back.
On 39 minutes, the lethal striker did break the deadlock, as PSG launched another quick counter-attack with the lightning forward.
Mbappe was up against David Alaba after Neymar sent a first-time pass from inside his own half towards the inside left channel. Because the Austrian blocked the clear path to the far corner, the 23-year-old smashed a shot past Courtois at the near post.
The goal placed PSG 2-0 up on aggregate and in command, but the Parisians allowed their opponents a way back into the game.
After being delivered a back pass, Donnarumma fumbled, allowing Karim Benzema to close him down, and the Italian goalkeeper rolled the ball across his own area to Vinicius Junior, who squared it back to Benzema for the finish.
As the tide shifted, Benzema glanced a header just wide, but while PSG were still stronger at keeping possession of the ball, their defense looked panicked.
As the ball pinballed around in the PSG area, Vinicius was presented with a fantastic opportunity, but the Brazilian lamely pushed an effort over the bar from close range.
Real did get their second goal, and it was Benzema who scored it, putting them ahead for the night and tying the tie.
Luka Modric threaded the eye of a needle to play in Benzema from the edge of the box, with the French striker slamming an effort home, albeit via a deflection.
Real scored another goal mere seconds later, giving Benzema a hat-trick! PSG lost possession immediately after the kick-off, and Vinicius broke into the penalty box. Marquinhos’ poor clearing was intercepted by Benzema, who neatly flicked the ball home first time.
PSG were astonished at this moment and were unable to produce any further notable attacks, succumbing to a bitter defeat.
Late on, a Lionel Messi free-kick flew barely wide, but that was it for their defensive blunders, which cost them dearly in the last 30 minutes.
