Twitter explodes as Karim Benzema's hattrick inspires historic Real Madrid comeback against PSG
Real Madrid staged one of the most memorable comebacks in UEFA Champions League history as they came from a goal down against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to win 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu, thanks to a Karim Benzema hat-trick.
In doing so, Los Blancos won the Round of 16 tie 3-2 on aggregate and secured a place in the quarterfinals of the competition as they look to be crowned kings of the continent for the 14th time in their history.
Kylian Mbappe broke the deadlock on the night with a well-taken goal early in the first half, putting his side two goals up on aggregate. Having also scored in the first leg, Mbappe once again stood up and made the world take notice of his outrageous quality as he slotted past Thibaut Courtois after racing clear of the Real Madrid backline.
Real Madrid prove European pedigree with historic second-half comeback against PSG
PSG went into the interval with what looked like an unassailable lead, but Real Madrid struck back in sensational style in the second half. Gianluigi Donnarumma's horror moment inside his own box opened up an opportunity for Vinicius Jr, whose pass was finished off by Benzema from close range.
After restoring parity on the night, Benzema went on to turn the tie around within the space of two minutes as he capped off a Champions League performance for the ages. The Real Madrid captain leveled the tie with a deflected effort and scored one of the cheekiest goals of his career to complete his hat-trick, leaving PSG looking shellshocked and desperately devoid of confidence.
Luka Modric's second-half performance was also a sight to behold as the Croatian maestro rolled back the years with a magestic display at the center of the park.
As PSG capitulated once again in Europe's premier club competition, here are some of the best tweets from the game.
Real Madrid are European royalty, period.
Karim Benzema. No words. Simply the best.
KARIM BENZEMA YOU BEAUTYYY
Prime Xavi or Iniesta could NEVER have produced what Modric did in the second half today. Modric is 36.
Camavinga is gonna be some player
You have to admire PSG’s consistency really. Constantly self destruct in the Champions League year after year.
I AM SCREAMING I LOVE THIS FOOTBALL CLUB WITH ALL MY HEART
Easy for some 34 year-olds. https://t.co/oFE53sEc0o
If PSG wanted to win the Champions League they should’ve signed Ronaldo not Messi.
you’re the worst club in the world i hope you know that @psg_inside
Messi literally went from bottling Champions League leads with Barca to bottling them with PSG 😭😭
Why do Madrid even want Mbappe? Where would he even fit in? 🤔
😭😭😭😭😭😭 PSG meltdown. IT’S THE HISTORY OF THE PSG
THE MOST UNDERRATED STRIKER OF THIS GENERATION KARIM THE DREAM BENZEMAAAAAAA
LEYENDA. Performance for the history books…. https://t.co/rRXnIJuvXc
"Kylian? Hold my beer, young buck.... your time will come... but not just yet... and not in MY house...."
July 2009, Karim Benzema joins Real Madrid from OL for €35m.
March 2022, Karim Benzema scores an hattrick in UCL and he’s the third best goalscorer in Real Madrid history.
⚪️ July 2009, Karim Benzema joins Real Madrid from OL for €35m.
⭐️ March 2022, Karim Benzema scores an hattrick in UCL and he’s the third best goalscorer in Real Madrid history.
Never ending story. ♾
#Benzema #UCL https://t.co/N5eYpHiJue
Benzema adding that hand bandage was the final piece to the puzzle
What a game ... my boy Benziii still the best No9 @Benzema 🔥🔥🔥 #UCL
Put Karim Benzema into the all-time great striker conversations right now. Facilitator. Creator. Goalscorer. What a legend of the game.
Karim Benzema = oldest player to score a hat-trick in the #UCL era (34 years, 80 days) 
🇫🇷 Karim Benzema = oldest player to score a hat-trick in the #UCL era (34 years, 80 days) 👏 https://t.co/B0k9aCuZzX
Karim Benzema is the best football player in the world
Karim Benzema's game by numbers vs. PSG:
100% aerial duels won
15 touches in the opp. box
7 shots attempted
5 shots on target
4 passes into the opp. box
4 passes into final third
4 x possession won
3 goals
Hat-trick hero. 🎩 https://t.co/vz5s89gHDA
Are you serious @Benzema 🔥😳
Also just to be perfectly clear here, Karim Benzema deserves that Ballon D’Or more than anyone else right now.
Cristiano Ronaldo had this demon Benzema in the Ibrahim Afellay role dkm I want that man arrested immediately
Lionel Messi has failed to score or assist in his last nine games against Real Madrid 😔
#UCL https://t.co/miMoKoaXdi
Joe Allen has appeared in a European final more recently than Lionel Messi
If you slander Messi you’re not a Barca fan. Crazy how this even needs to be said