Karim Benzema sent Real Madrid through to the quarter finals of the Champions League with a stunning hat-trick against Paris Saint-Germain.
Los Blancos looked like they were heading out of Europe after Kylian Mbappe‘s first-half goal gave PSG a 2-0 aggregate lead.
But then in a stunning 17-minute period during the second-half, Real Madrid and Benzema turned the game on its head.
Karim Benzema sent PSG crashing out of the Champions League with a stunning hat-trick
PSG looked like they were going to advance before their stunning second-half collapse
After the game on BT Sport, Rio Ferdinand said: ‘He’s had some great nights in his career, but this will go down as personally for him, a hat-trick.
‘It was a game of two halves. First half we were all sitting here salivating about Kylian Mbappe, the most devastating player around at the moment, heir to the throne of Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi.
‘Second half comes out, Karim Benzema says ‘no, no, no, no. I’m not done yet. Guys, there’s someone else on this pitch that you need to talk about,’ and bangs out a hat-trick.
‘I mean, that man in the picture there by the way (Ancelotti), he’s trodden this path many, many times and he navigated his team through this. He didn’t panic, wily characters in this squad.
Benzema gave Real Madrid a glimmer of hope after he capitalised on a mistake from Gianluigi Donnarumma
He then scored two goals in the space of 11 seconds as PSG capitulated against Los Blancos
‘You look at Luka Modric, ageing like a fine wine. Almost 37. He put on a masterclass in the second half, the assist for one of Karim Benzema’s goals was exquisite.
‘But that man there (Benzema), I said it before the game, we’ve all said how good a player he is.
‘The most complete number nine about for me. He does every part of the game fantastically well. Today, putting the ball in the back of the net which is the hardest thing to do in the game, three times. Bang, have that.’
The Frenchman levelled the score on the night after 61 minutes when he capitalised on a howler from PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Rio Ferdinand described Benzema as ‘the most complete’ number nine in world football
He then levelled the aggregate score line when Luka Modric broke through the lines, linked up with Vinicius and found Benzema who smashed home.
Then PSG gave the ball away from kick-off and Marquinhos accidently passed the ball straight into the path of Benzema to tuck away.
It was a horrific collapse from Mauricio Pochettino’s side, and Real Madrid fans were sent into rapture thanks to the brilliant performance of Benzema.
After the match Benzema received praise on social media after his match-winning display.
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker posted: ‘Karim Benzema is indisputably one of the greatest number nines of all-time.’
It was one of the Real Madrid legend’s all-time great displays and solidified his status as one of the world’s best strikers
His former team-mate Mesut Ozil commented: ‘What a game… my boi Benzi still the best No9.’
Football supporters also joined in the act with Raj Chohan stating: ‘Put Karim Benzema into the all-time great striker conversations right now. Facilitator. Creator. Goalscorer. What a legend of the game.’
Another user posted: ‘Karim Benzema deserves all the respect he gets. Man’s been carrying this #RealMadrid team since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure. What a Performance!’
By scoring a treble, he became the oldest player to score a Champions League hat-trick at 34 years and 80 days.
He also overtaken Real Madrid legend Raul for goals in the Champions League, with the Frenchman now on 67.
