On October 4, 2002, before the game began, Benzema arrived at Stamford Bridge with headphones on, seemingly distracted when a security guard requested his clearance. The French forward, without proper accreditation, initially faced a barrier and was described as the one who should not be admitted. Then Ancelotti appeared, urging him with his characteristic confidence. The message was clear: move fast if you want to play. Karim found the pathway and entered, even if circumstances suggested otherwise.
In the end, he answered with a decisive performance, scoring three goals to fuel the Madridistas’ victory. He did not register a goal against Chelsea in the second leg, yet he remained influential in a match that ended in a draw and helped Rodrygo shine. Carletto later praised Benzema, noting that he improves daily, aging like a fine wine and growing into a leadership role within the team. He felt increasingly important within the squad, contributing to the collective strength.
The sentiment was momentous: Benzema could enter the pitch without any obstruction, his accreditation in order, and the mood around him brightened with a smile. The earlier disturbance had coincided with the appearance of the king emeritus, a moment that seemed to echo across the Madrid camp as the team disembarked.
Rodrygo punishes a fierce Chelsea; Madrid eyes City in the semi-finals
Fermin de la Calle
All eyes turned to Benzema as the numbers stood out. He had racked up 14 goals and two assists in his last nine Champions League qualifiers, with his recent record including 11 goals against English clubs. While his scoring pace dipped this season, it surged again after the World Cup, reinforcing his value for his team.
Rodrygo erupts on the scene
The turning point came from an incident that reshaped the rest of the match. A long ball found its way through and Thiago Silva inadvertently stepped on Benzema’s foot, preventing a clean recovery. Benzema chose to drop back, create space, and draw the defense out. Rodrygo seized the moment, showing the speed and instinct that made him threatening all night.
The Brazilian forward carried the Madrid attack in London, delivering early warning with a shot off the woodwork and drawing marked attention to Vinicius. He continued to influence the game through the first half, collecting touches and pressing the attack until the 58th minute. Militao influenced the play with a crucial interception, maintaining Madrid’s momentum while Courtois stood tall in his typical fearless manner.
A must-win mindset
Benzema found space on the goal line to receive a precise pass, but the shot missed narrowly. The ball, however, fell to Vinicius at the far post, who then set up Rodrygo for a pivotal goal. Rodrygo’s late finish forced a response from Valverde and underscored his role as a decisive contributor. The youngster had already made a mark against Chelsea in previous campaigns, including a dramatic overtime goal and late strikes against City.
Following the match, Rodrygo reflected on the competition’s unique nature, saying the moment felt especially meaningful and that his goal tally would hopefully continue to grow as Madrid pursued further success. He spoke with gratitude about wearing Real Madrid’s colors, calling the club the greatest in the world and expressing a belief that reaching the final was not only possible but expected by the team and its supporters.