Karim Benzema Scripts History With Champions League Hat-Trick Vs Chelsea [Watch]

Karim Benzema scripted history with a hat-trick in Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Benzema became the first-ever soccer player to score a treble against Chelsea in the Champions League, according to Opta Joe. The Frenchman achieved the milestone in the first leg of the European tournament's quarter-final between Real Madrid and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Real Madrid forward opened the scoring in the 21st minute before doubling Los Blancos' lead just three minutes later. Chelsea's Kai Havertz pulled one for his side before Benzema netted his third goal of the match.

The 34-year-old had netted a hat-trick in Real Madrid's last-16 tie with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the ongoing Champions League season. By netting three goals against Chelsea, Benzema emulated the legendary duo of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in a special record.

Benzema is just the fourth player to score a hat-trick in back-to-back Champions League appearances after Ronaldo (2017), Messi (2016) and Luiz Adriano (2014), Goal.com reported.

The Real Madrid striker has already netted 11 goals in eight Champions League matches in the 2021-22 season, apart from providing an assist. Overall, Benzema has scored 37 goals and provided 13 assists in 36 games for Real Madrid, across all competitions.

With 11 goals this term, Benzema has scored more times than any other Frenchman in a single European Cup campaign, moving past Just Fontaine's 10-goal haul in 1958-59.

Speaking in a post-match interview, an overjoyed Benzema said the team wanted to show "we're Real Madrid" and things worked out well for them.

"They're magic nights, like the other day at the Bernabeu against Paris. Today we came out to win, to show we're Real Madrid. Things worked out well for us as we played well, from the first minute to the last. They're very important goals. I'm happiest to have scored the third as I missed one in the first half and I was thinking about that chance because it's very important to score goals. Then I got another and I'm very happy," Benzema told Spanish TV, according to OneFootball.

The return leg between Chelsea and Real Madrid is scheduled to take place on April 12 at Santiago Bernabeu.