Karim Benzema continued with his red-hot form for Real Madrid as he scored the winning penalty to send Carlo Ancelotti’s side to the Champions League final on Wednesday night.
The Los Blancos found themselves staring elimination in the eye after Riyad Mahrez gave City the lead with less than 20 minutes to go, but a late Rodrygo brace changed everything for the Madrid club.
Benzema then scored from the spot in extra time to see his side book a place in the May 28th final.
The Frenchman’s goal was his 15th of the season, with 10 of those coming in the knockout phase.
He becomes only the second player to hit double figures in the competition’s latter stages, equaling Cristiano Ronaldo’s record that was set during the 2016/17 season while with Real Madrid.
What. A. Season.
Karim Benzema has equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for most goals scored in a single Champions League knockout phase ?#UCL pic.twitter.com/ANNovg55jv
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 4, 2022
Benzema has a chance of equaling Ronaldo’s record of most goals in a single Champions League season, 17, scored during the (2013/14) season, if he can grab a brace in the final.
? Most goals in a single Champions League season:
⚽️1⃣7⃣ Cristiano Ronaldo (2013/14)
⚽️1⃣6⃣ Cristiano Ronaldo (2015/16)
⚽️1⃣5⃣ Cristiano Ronaldo (2017/18)
⚽️1⃣5⃣ Robert Lewandowski (2019/20)
⚽️1⃣5⃣ Karim Benzema (2021/22)#UCL pic.twitter.com/gkynKEl7Ev
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 4, 2022
The 2022 Champions League final will be staged at PSG’s Parc des Princes on May 28.
