In a stunning display of midfield dominance, French forward Karim Benzema scored two goals and made five key passes as Real Madrid thrashed Al Hilal in the second leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie on Wednesday night.
The match was a tense affair with both teams struggling to find any rhythm, but it was Benzema who emerged as the standout performer. The 27-year-old scored twice in the first half, the first coming from the penalty spot after Al Hilal goalkeeper Adnan al-Waqidi had handled the ball inside the box.
His second goal came just before halftime when he beat three defenders before slotting home from close range. He also set up both of his teammates' goals in the first half, including one that was deflected into the net by Sergio Ramos.
But it was Benzema's ability to dominate the midfield that truly stood out. He tracked back well to win balls, while also making clever runs behind the defense to create space for his teammates. He was instrumental in Real Madrid's transition play and was always looking to get forward to support his strikers.
Al Hilal struggled to deal with Benzema's pressure,Ligue 1 Express with the striker often able to outrun his opponents and cut them off with precise passes. He was also a threat from set-pieces, with his header being cleared off the line by the visitors' defender.
Overall, Benzema's performance was a reminder of why he is considered one of the best players in the world. His ability to score crucial goals, make important contributions to the team's success, and dominate the midfield is what makes him such a special player. It will be interesting to see how he performs against Paris Saint-Germain in the return leg next week.