In what will be remembered as a real Champions League classic on Wednesday night, Real Madrid managed to book their spot in the quarter-finals of this year’s tournament as they mounted a famous comeback at the Bernabeu.
Suffering last-gasp heartbreak when they made the trip to Paris for their first-leg meeting last month, Los Blancos eventually claimed a remarkable 3-1 victory here and pilled real pressure onto Mauricio Pochettino’s shoulders.
Watching the French giants really endure a woeful collapse during the second-half, there is no doubt that Madrid’s iconic win on Wednesday night was spearhead by hat-trick hero and attacking talisman Karim Benzema.
In a showdown between two of Europe’s elite, we have taken a look at all the key talking points following Madrid’s famous fightback on home soil.
Karim Benzema – A Champions League icon
Heading into the half-time break on Wednesday night knowing that they needed a real miracle if they were to extend on their Champions League adventure, Real Madrid’s cries for help were answered by none other than their superstar number nine.
Pouncing on a mistake at the back from Gianluigi Donnarumma 15 minutes after the restart and dragging Carlo Ancelotti’s side back into the contest, the French international quickly completed what will be remembered as one of his most iconic nights at the Bernabeu.
Only 12 seconds after firing home and putting Madrid into a 2-1 lead, Benzema sent the Spanish capital into overdrive as he once again found a way past the giant Italian keeper and completed a remarkable 17-minute hat-trick.
Mobbed by his teammates at the final whistle and racking up his 30th goal of the season following his remarkable second-half flurry on Wednesday night, the 34-year-old superstar certainly deserves all of the headlines after a monumental one-man show here.
Modric the magician
While Benzema might rightfully leave the Bernabeu with a historic Champions League hat-trick to his name, there is no doubt that a certain Luka Modric also played a vital part here.
Watching Casmerio miss out on Wednesday night after picking up a costly booking in the first-leg last month and Toni Kroos having to limp off injured in the second-half, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner put in a herculean performance at the heart of Madrid’s midfield.
Not allowing former arch-enemy Lionel Messi to gain any kind of foothold in proceedings when the ex-Barcelona man dropped into the number 10 role, Modric proved his class with a wonderful assist for Benzema’s second goal.
Showing his sublime vision with a slipped pass through the 34-year-old marksman, the one-time Tottenham playmaker deserved all the praise that he received from Ancelotti after the final whistle.
With his contract at the Bernabeu still ticking away, Modric certainly showed that he can more than comfortably run a game at the highest level.
Mbappe brilliance not enough for PSG
Bagging that stunning injury-time winner at the Parc des Princes and handing PSG their advantage last month, all signs on Wednesday were pointing towards another night that saw Kylian Mbappe steal all of the headlines.
However, despite putting in another stunning display and grabbing the opening goal just five minutes before heading into the break, the 23-year-old would have been hugely concerned by the way that his teammates crumbled around him.
Producing a fine finish past Thibaut Courtois and also having another pair of strikes ruled out for offside on either side of the interval, Europe’s latest superstar caused Dani Carvajal a host of issues.
Looking visibly frustrated as Benzema completed Los Blancos’ stunning comeback, Wednesday’s collapse would have all but decided Mbappe’s future this summer.
Continuing to be heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid in what should be a blockbuster free transfer this year, the 23-year-old undoubtedly put in another performance that showed Ancelotti what he could have in just a few month’s time.
What next for Pochettino?
Heading into Wednesday’s showdown at the Bernabeu coming off the back of a 1-0 defeat against Nice on the road, it was no secret around Paris that Mauricio Pochettino was facing his most high profile contest on Wednesday night.
However, despite watching Mbappe fire the French heavyweights into a 2-0 aggregate lead after an eye-catching first-half display, huge questions will be asked of the former Spurs boss after the way that his side imploded here.
Completely losing their cool once Benzema pounded on Donnarumma’s mistake 15 minutes after the restart, Pochettino failed to offer much help to his side from the sideline and it is hard to see where the 50-year-old goes from here.
While he might be helping to cruise PSG towards another Ligue 1 crown this season, the Parc des Princes hearsay have made it clear that claiming a maiden Champions League title is their number one priority.
Still linked with a move to Manchester United this summer, could Wednesday’s collapse be the final nail in Pochettino’s coffin at PSG?
Match Report:
Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Militão, Alaba, Nacho, Modric, Kroos, Valverde, Asensio, Benzema, Vinícius Júnior
Subs: Vázquez, Camavinga, Rodrygo
PSG: Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Mendes, Danilo, Paredes, Verratti, Messi, Neymar, Mbappe
Subs: Di Maria, Draxler, Gueye
Goals: Real Madrid: Benzema 61′, 76′, 78′ – PSG: Mbappe 39′
Yellow Cards: Real Madrid: Nacho, Rodrygo, Carvajal, Vinícius Júnior – PSG: Donnarumma, Kimpembe, Hakimi, Paredes
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Danny Makkelie
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