Benzema sets up Real’s 3-1 win

LONDON: Karim Benzema’s hat-trick, which included two headed goals in a space of three first-half minutes, helped Real Madrid defeat defending champion Chelsea 3-1 in its Champions League quarter-final first leg here on Wednesday. Veteran striker Benzema (21’, 24’ & 46’) completed his hat-trick when he pounced on an error by Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy just after the break. Kai Havertz had reduced the arrears in the 40th minute as the German headed the ball home following an angled pass from Jorginho. But, Real eventually managed a two-goal cushion at the end of the opening leg. Meanwhile, Villarreal edged out Bayern Munich 1-0 at home, thanks to an early goal from Arnaut Danjuma (8’).

RESULTS:Quarter-finals: First leg: Chelsea 1 (K Havertz 40) lost to Real Madrid 3 (K Benzema 21, 24 & 46); Villarreal 1 (A Danjuma 8) bt Bayern Munich 0