Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema scored a stunning second half hat-trick to knock French giants Paris Saint Germain (PSG) out of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) at the round of 16 stage. The Euro 2020 participant was the difference between the two teams in the second leg thanks to his three goals in the space of seventeen (17) second half minutes.

PSG came into their latest Champions League clash with a slender 1-0 advantage given to them by the impressive KylianMbappeat the end of the first leg at the Parc des Princes three weeks ago. The game was heading for a goalless draw before Euro 2020 participant Mbappe produced a moment of real quality to win the game for the home team.

Mbappe was a big doubt for the Real Madrid game after the Frenchman suffered a foot injury in training on Monday, but he was able to return to training the following day to give his team a big boost. The Euro 2020 participant was named in the PSG starting XI as expected and he gave Real Madrid a scare with his goal that was disallowed for offside with ten first half minutes left to play. Four minutes later, Mbappe gave PSG the lead as he poweredhis shot into the back of the net via the hand of Thibaut Courtois in the Real Madrid goal after racing clear of the defenders off the pass from Brazilian star Neymar. The Mbappe goal gave PSG a 2-0 lead in the tie before the Benzema show in the second half.

Benzema scored the first of his three goals just after the hour mark having putPSG shot stopper GianlugiDonnaruma under pressure while he was trying to play out from the back. The Frenchman then completed his hat-trick on 78 minutes with the aid of two goals in two minutes to send Real Madrid into the last eight via a 3-2 aggregate victory.