Benzema's Hat-Trick Sends Star-Studded PSG Crashing Out

A Karim Benzema hat-trick inspired a sensational Real Madrid comeback as they defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 in the second leg to progress to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League.

PSG made six changes to their side with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, Presnell Kimpembe, Nuno Mendes, Leandro Paredes and Kylian Mbappe coming back into the starting lineup. Meanwhile, Real brought Nacho, Federico Valverde, Toni Kroos and Marco Asension into their starting XI.

In the eighth minute, Mbappe surged forward on the break and drilled an effort towards the near post that Thibaut Courtois got down well to keep out. The opposition goalkeeper was then called into action. Luka Modric ran at the PSG defence to the edge of the box and the ball came the way of Karim Benzema, who curled a sublime towards the far post corner but Donnarumma made a superb fingertip stop at full stretch.

Mbappe was finding plenty of space on the counter down the left and behind Dani Carvajal. In the 39th minute, Neymar's first-time flicked pass around the corner released Mbappe through on goal down the left and his drilled effort towards the near post found the back of the net despite Courtois getting a hand to it on its way in.

Los Blancos were much better after the break and pulled a goal back on the hour mark. Donnaruma dallied on the ball far too long at the back and Benzema closed him down with the ball falling to Vinicius Jr, who squared it back to Benzema and the France international side-footed clinically home into the bottom left corner.

 

Real equalised in the 76th minute as Benzema grabbed his brace. Modric showed his class as he threaded a ball through the eye of the needle to release Benzema, who produced a superb finish past Donnaruma.

The Real striker had single-handedly turned the tie on its head when he completed his hat-trick just two minutes later. PSG were cut open straight from the restart as Vinicius this time found space on the left and laid it off to Benzema, who found the net with pinpoint accuracy.

Carlo Ancelotti's side dominated the match from then on out to secure a fantastic turnaround win.

Manchester City and Sporting Lisbon played to a goalless draw on Wednesday night as City progressed to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals with a 5-0 aggregate win.

Riyad Mahrez was replaced in the starting lineup from the first leg by Bernardo Silva. Meanwhile, 19-year-old right-back CJ Egan-Riley came in for the suspended Kyle Walker. Meanwhile, Pedro Porro started down the right for Sporting against his parent club.

With 23 minutes gone, Fernandinho's crossfield ball sought out Jesus making his way into the area and the Brazilian delivered to Raheem Sterling at the back post, but Neto made a brilliant interception at the last moment to deny City.

Sporting were playing with almost ten men behind the ball and City were having to patient in trying to unlock their opposition.

Guardiola's men finally managed to get in behind five minutes before half-time when a first-time ball from Phil Foden released Sterling clear on goal and the England international tried to chip goalkeeper Adan, who read his intentions and easily caught the ball.

The match was proving to be a stark contrast from the first leg where City ran rampant as Sporting were much improved.

The Citizens, however, thought they had broken the deadlock shortly after half-time when Mahrez's effort rebounded to Gabriel Jesus, who smashed it in at the near post but the goal was disallowed for Jesus being offside by a fraction.

In the 56th minute, Jesus threatened again. After a beautiful move from City, Jesus cut inside from the left and shot low and his shot was held onto by Adan at the second time of asking.

City were in complete control of the game but failing to capitalise on that and were almost sucker-punched as Edwards and Reis both went close for Sporting.

John Stones headed just over and Mahrez had a near-post effort saved in the closing stages as the match ended goalless.