Whenever Real Madrid have featured in the Champions League this season it’s been the Cristiano Ronaldo show, but on Wednesday it was the man wearing Ronaldo’s first season shirt number that had people applauding.
Karim Benzema showed bewitching feet all over the pitch as Real beat Atletico Madrid 4-2 on aggregate, despite losing 2-1 on the night.
Atleti made the perfect start and were 2-0 up after 16 minutes, with it looking pretty certain that they’d be able to overturn the 3-0 first leg deficit. And then came Benzema.
That skill from Benzema! ?????? pic.twitter.com/BCRUfZ4yOB
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) May 10, 2017
The Frenchman had three players surrounding him and took it past two right on the touchline, before pulling it back for Toni Kroos to shoot.
Isco scored on the rebound, and just like that the final looked out of reach for Diego Simeone’s men.
There was no doubting who was to thank though.
Karim Benzema's game by numbers vs. Atletico:
87% pass accuracy
7 take-ons
2 chances created
2 shotsToo hot to handle. ?? pic.twitter.com/r0khhvqLTA
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 10, 2017
Benzema, who’s got 51 goals in the Champions League – more than Thierry Henry and only less than four other players – hasn’t enjoyed the most successful of seasons.
But it looks like the fans are ready to forgive him for that given the magic he produced when it was needed.
I guess I'll forgive benzema for everything he's ever done
— Lesly ?? (@leslyestrellaa) May 10, 2017
THANK YOU FOR LEADING US TO THE FINALS @Benzema
— ?Abdallah M.? (@Abdallah_rm11) May 10, 2017
Benzema WOW JUST WOW!!! World class CF Performance tonight
— GOATNALDO (@HaIaRonaldo) May 10, 2017
Some think a lot of his work, which has produced 15 goals and four assists this season, goes unnoticed.
This game depicts just how Benzema's link up play is very underrated. He's the reason Ronaldo scores all those goals inside the box
— Judas Is No.1 (@zachzoranda) May 10, 2017
While others were very, very kind with their praise.
Benzema's performance tonight had R9 written all over it. Tears in my eyes pic.twitter.com/ULn0DvNEtc
— ? (@RmadridFever__) May 10, 2017
As for Atletico, they’re probably sick of the sight of Real – who they were playing for the very last time at the Vicente Calderon before moving to a new stadium.
It’s the fourth season in a row Simeone’s team has been eliminated by Los Blancos.
Atletico's past 4 CL campaigns:
Elimanted by Real Madrid.
Elimanted by Real Madrid.
Elimanted by Real Madrid.
Elimanted by Real Madrid.— Ali (@RM_Insider) May 10, 2017
The victory for Real means Madrid they’ll meet Juventus in Cardiff for the final, in what will be their 15th ever in the European Cup – and where they have the chance to become the first team in the Champions League era to retain the trophy.