The England national team stands out among Europe’s big football nations for maintaining a favorable head-to-head balance against the so‑called white box. At first glance, that claim might sound improbable, yet the numbers tell a different story. Real Madrid has often found Chelsea a stubborn adversary, losing more times than it has won when the two sides meet. It is easy to call that boastful, but the record in European competition lends credibility to the statement: for a club with such a storied history in Europe, Real Madrid has repeatedly faced a Chelsea side that has proven difficult to topple, making a positive balance against the Premier League giants a rare feat for a regular opponent.
So far, the Chamartín club has managed to win only one of the seven encounters it has faced Chelsea in all competitions, a striking statistic given Real Madrid’s illustrious European pedigree. This is particularly notable when considering the European stage where Madrid frequently shines. If one looks at recent history, Chelsea have not suffered defeat against Real Madrid in Madrid in the documented meetings, underscoring the London club’s ability to perform on Spanish soil and complicate the home side’s ambitions in the pursuit of European glory.
Among the players who have shaped these clashes, Karim Benzema stands out as the one who repeatedly found a way to hurt Chelsea. Across eight goals Real Madrid has scored against the London club, Benzema accounts for five. He was pivotal in the 2021 semi-final when Chelsea held the upper hand for long stretches, yet the French forward kept Madrid alive and present in the tie. The season that followed saw him deliver a decisive goal at the Bernabéu after a dramatic earlier display at Stamford Bridge, underscoring his knack for turning tight, high-stakes matches in Real Madrid’s favor.
In the current campaign, Benzema’s form has faced notable physical challenges. Those issues have slowed him down and altered the trajectory of Madrid’s attack. Yet there is more to the story than a single player’s fitness. The team’s aspirations to win the Champions League again depend on a broader array of contributors stepping up when needed, and that breadth of contribution is what shapes a successful run in Europe. While Benzema’s performances have not reached the peak levels seen in past seasons, the squad still relies on his experience and instinct under pressure, especially in matches that hinge on a single moment of quality.
A bankable stat that keeps returning is Benzema’s ongoing influence in big European nights. He has found the net in seven straight Champions League campaigns, a run that includes high-profile clashes with Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool. The numbers illustrate a consistent scoring thread that Madrid often leans on when the calendar brings the most demanding fixtures. Vinícius Júnior has emerged as a vital spark for the team, bringing pace and energy that complement Benzema’s craft. Still, the analysis is clear: without a return to peak Benzema form, Madrid’s path to another European title becomes more challenging, even for a club with a tradition of success.