UCL 2021-22: Benzema's hat-trick ends PSG's Champions League dream, Real Madrid advance to quarterfinals

A quickfire hat-trick from Karim Benzema helped Real Madrid enter into the quarterfinals of UEFA Champions League as the Spanish side defeated Paris-Saint Germain 3-1 on Wednesday night.

PSG were aggressive from the start and exploited Real's lack of coordination. And finally in the 39th minute, Kylian Mbappe put the French side 1-0 ahead.

But there was plenty of more drama left in the match. Real Madrid made a spirited comeback in the second half as Karim Benzema scored the equaliser in the 61st minute after a mistake from PSG's goalkeeper.

Also read: UEFA Champions League: Liverpool advance to quarterfinals despite a loss to 10-man Inter Milan

Powered by the home fans at Santiago Stadium, Benzema scored again as he deflected a pass from Luka Modric in the 76th minute. Then added his third two minutes later after another costly mistake by a PSG defender and powered the 13-time European Champion into the quarterfinals.

The score line read 3-1 as the 13-time European winners won 3-2 on aggregate. Reports suggest that post the loss, PSG President Al-Khelaifi stormed into the referee room and broke equipment post the loss.