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Champions League football roundup: Chelsea thrashed by Benzema hat-trick

07 Apr 2022

Compiled by Ranjika Perera  Chelsea’s hold on the Champions League hangs precariously after Karim Benzema’s hat-trick put Real Madrid in a position of power following the quarter-final first leg of the league at Stamford Bridge, Fulham, South West London yesterday (7). Real Coach Carlo Ancelotti made a winning return to the club, where he had won the Premier League and FA (Football Association) Cup double, as veteran France striker Benzema delivered his latest masterpiece. Second leg in Spain Benzema, 34, who is fresh from the treble that sunk Paris Saint Germain (PSG) in the last 16, punished holders Chelsea with two magnificent headers in the space of three minutes, midway through the first half. Kai Havertz’s header gave Chelsea hope before the break but keeper Edouard Mendy’s poor clearance seconds after the restart gifted Benzema his third to put Real in command of the tie before the second leg at the Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain next Tuesday (12). Villarreal stun Bayern Ex-Bournemouth striker Arnaut Danjuma scored as Villarreal stunned Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie at Estadio de la Cerámica in Villarreal, Spain, also yesterday. The home side were superb from the outset and led inside 10 minutes when Arnaut Danjuma stabbed in from close range. Francis Coquelin had a goal ruled out while Gerard Moreno hit the post as Villarreal pushed for a second. German champions Bayern were well below par and did not manage a shot on target until the second half. Lewandowski kept quiet Robert Lewandowski, who has scored 51 goals for his club and country this season, was kept quiet by a well-organised Villarreal defence as the hosts followed up their impressive win against Juventus in the previous round with another big result. But as poor as Bayern were, they will feel they can turn things around against the Spanish side in the return leg on Tuesday (12).      


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