Champions League LIVE: Unstoppable Benzema leads Real Madrid past Chelsea as Villarreal stun Bayern

What a night of football that was!Chelsea and Bayern left with lots of work to do as Real Madrid and Villarreal have seized the advantage. Plenty still to play for, though, and GOAL will have you covered all the way throigh.Until next time!

That's all, folks

"No, not at the moment. No," Tuchel said when asked if he believed Chelsea were still in it. "We have to find out level back. I don't know where it is since the international break. The first half is a repetition of the second half against Brentford in a quarter-final against Real Madrid. So far off our level in absolutely everything the game demands, we can't expect a result from this kind of performance. "We have to get things ready for Saturday. Not think about the Bernabeu today. Saturday we face Southampton and if we continue to play like this, we will not get a point."

Tuchel all but concedes tie is over

Thomas Muller has acknowledged that Bayern were lucky to escape with only a one-goal defeat."We weren't really able to do something today, we did not play the match we wanted," he told DAZN. "Offensively, we did not have the power, we did not create that many chances."We'll take the 1-0 because it could have been worse. Right now, we need to prepare for the second leg and fight back."

Muller: We'll take the 1-0

"It is a heavy loss. It was one of the worst first halves that I saw from us here at Stamford Bridge," Thomas Tuchel told BT Sport. "Individually and as a team it was by far not enough. It was far from our standards and then you lose games."No, we don't have to go to Madrid we have to go Southampton and it is very important to process this. It is crucial that we go to Southampton. If we keep playing like this we will lose at Southampton and then we will get hammered at Bernabeu."

'Play like this and we'll get hammered in Madrid'

What a performance that was from Karim Benzema, huh?"They're magic nights, like the other day at the Bernabeu against Paris," he said on Spanish TV after the match. "Today we came out to win, to show we're Real Madrid. Things worked out well for us as we played well, from the first minute to the last."They're very important goals. I'm happiest to have scored the third as I missed one in the first half and I was thinking about that chance because it's very important to score goals. Then I got another and I’m very happy."

Benzema's magic night

"This is the business end and he is still scoring goals. He has shot his team to the top of the league. They are flying and he is the talisman," Rio Ferdinant said on BT Sport."When Cristiano Ronaldo was there Benzema had the humility to sit in the background because he knew what it meant to the team but now he has come out of the shadows."He is 34 and he is the best number nine in the world. He is another level. Goals, assists, link up play, slowing the game down."

Count Rio among Benzema's fans

Villarreal could have easily won this by a few goals, if not for a few missed chances and one goal ruled out.Will they regret it after they visit Munich next week?

Regrets for Villarreal?

A tough, tough loss for Bayern, who will need to overturn a 1-0 deficit at home after falling to Villarreal.With the win, Villarreal are the first team to hand an away loss to Bayern since 2017.

What a letdown for Bayern

It's all over, and both Spanish sides will have leads going into the second legs.Real Madrid have taken down Chelsea 3-1, with Benzema leading the way with a hat-trick.Villarreal, meanwhile, have stunned Bayern Munich 1-0 thanks to an early goal from Danjuma.

FINAL

Former Tottenham star Gareth Bale looks set to join the fray. Only a few minutes left for Chelsea to try to pull one back at home.

Bale coming in

Benzema is good enouhg to bring Arsenal legend Thierry Henry to Stamford Bridge of all places.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Karim Benzema stepped up to the occasion. Thierry Henry came dressed for it, it’s real <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MENSWEAR?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MENSWEAR</a> hours. <a href="https://t.co/HOd6APMdHF">pic.twitter.com/HOd6APMdHF</a>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1511801573273264129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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From once French star to another

You can't be missing a chance like that in a game like this!Lukaku has a chance to pull one back, but he can't find th eback of the net as it remains 3-1.Chelsea may regret that...

Lukaku misses a sitter

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Lukaku coming on.— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) <a href="https://twitter.com/NizaarKinsella/status/1511800091971145732?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Chelsea bringing on reinforcements

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">BACK TO BACK <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> HAT-TRICKS FOR KARIM BENZEMA, HE GETS A GIFT. 🎁 <a href="https://t.co/2a0g1b0we7">pic.twitter.com/2a0g1b0we7</a>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1511797914502193152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Hat-trick for Benzema! ✔️ The worst possible start to the second half for Chelsea... 😔 A terrible defensive mix up between Édouard Mendy and Antonio Rüdiger allows a tap in for Real Madrid's star man ⚽️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/GJDtp3IM6u">pic.twitter.com/GJDtp3IM6u</a>— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) <a href="https://twitter.com/footballontnt/status/1511798425423323137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Watch: Chelsea hand Benzema his hat-trick

He's scored again! Hat-trick!This was the easiest of the bunch as Chelsea are absolutely shambolic at the back. Mendy far too casual as Chelsea give the ball to Benzema, who has the easiest finish of his life to make it 3-1.Jsut moments into the second half and Chelsea have long way back to climb.

BENZEMA AGAIN!

Here we go! Big second halves ahead1

Second half is underway

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">It took Arnaut Danjuma eight minutes to give Villarreal the lead against Bayern Munich 👀 <a href="https://t.co/EqwjMLAnTk">pic.twitter.com/EqwjMLAnTk</a>— GOAL (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1511786633347096579?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Danjuma on the rise!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">JORGINHO PUTS IT ON A PLATE FOR KAI HAVERTZ. 🍽 <a href="https://t.co/gu63gP367H">pic.twitter.com/gu63gP367H</a>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1511791806412861441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Watch: Havertz gets one back (U.S. only)

We've played 45 minutes in the two matches, and the Spanish teams are ahead in bothReal Madrid find themselves up 2-1 thanks to Benzema magic, while Villarreal are up 1-0 after Danjuma's early goal.Lots of football left, though, as Chelsea and Bayern have looked lively!

HALFTIME

He is human after all!The goal is left wide open for Benzema, who has a chance to seal a remarkable first-half hat-trick.However, he puts it wide, missing out on a chance to cap off what would have been a perfect half.

Benzema misses!

Huge celebrations as Villarreal seemingly go 2-0 up on a goal from Coquelin, but it's ruled out for offside.A massive letoff for Bayern, who have nearly thrown the tie away in the first 45 minutes!

Villarreal goal... or not!

Havertz! Game on!The German star makes it 2-1, bringing a bit of life to Stamford Bridge. A massive, massive goal just before halftime as Chelsea are back in it!

GOAL CHELSEA!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">36 goals for the season already ✨ Karim Benzema is a special, special striker 🤍 <a href="https://t.co/ZglRUJNF3R">pic.twitter.com/ZglRUJNF3R</a>— GOAL (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1511790325970444294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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King Karim

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">TWO GOALS IN THREE MINUTES FOR KARIM BENZEMA. 💥 The ball from Luka Modric though. 😍 <a href="https://t.co/uKKoP2SU0S">pic.twitter.com/uKKoP2SU0S</a>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1511788178197209089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The ball by Modric 🤤 The precision from Benzema 👌 The Frenchman is on fire. Real Madrid are on fire. They lead 2-0 at Stamford Bridge! 🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/YJFTQec6qm">pic.twitter.com/YJFTQec6qm</a>— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) <a href="https://twitter.com/footballontnt/status/1511787948777390087?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Watch: Benzema makes it two

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">¡Gooooooool del Real Madrid! 🔥⚽ No, no es repetición. ¡Benzema es un animal! Doblete de cabeza en un minuto. 🥵<a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC_Sp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChelseaFC_Sp</a> 0-2 <a href="https://twitter.com/realmadrid?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realmadrid</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TuChampions?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TuChampions</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chelsea?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chelsea</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RealMadrid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RealMadrid</a> 🔴 ¡EN VIVO! 📺 TUDN y <a href="https://twitter.com/Univision?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@univision</a> 📱: <a href="https://t.co/5N5mPf6LBT">https://t.co/5N5mPf6LBT</a> <a href="https://t.co/01Z41w229M">pic.twitter.com/01Z41w229M</a>— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/TUDNUSA/status/1511787301537562625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">KARIM BENZEMA STOP THAT! 🎯 He had no right to score that! Ridiculous header 💥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/jWtW2l1kcZ">pic.twitter.com/jWtW2l1kcZ</a>— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) <a href="https://twitter.com/footballontnt/status/1511787266171101192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Watch: Benzema's first goal

He's unstoppable!Two headed goals in a matter of minutes for the French star.Modric with the ball in this time, but it's all about Benzema as he scored yet again. Chelsea can't handle him, and Real Madrid are now 2-0 up.

What a header!An absolutely thunderous headed finish from Benzema, who thumps the ball into the back of the net from just inside the box.Great play from Vinicius Jr. to set it up, but all credit to Benzema for the finish as the French forward remains unstoppable.

GOAL BENZEMA!

The Real Madrid defender has been booked, which means he'll be out for the second leg.His foul also put Real Madrid in a dangerous spot, too, as Courtois is forced to push away a James free kick.

Yellow to Militao

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The dream start for Villarreal 💛 Former Bournemouth man Arnaut Danjuma in the right place at the right time... What a season he is having!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/2IqpZM2glB">pic.twitter.com/2IqpZM2glB</a>— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) <a href="https://twitter.com/footballontnt/status/1511783913315782660?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Bayern haven't lost away in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> since 2017. 👀 Seven minutes in: Arnaut Danjuma gives Villarreal the lead! 🐍 <a href="https://t.co/nn0Ubuz9Yp">pic.twitter.com/nn0Ubuz9Yp</a>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1511784003853901824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Watch: Danjuma's goal against Bayern

Real Madrid's Brazilian star comes so, so close as he breaks free of the Chelsea defence.His shot gets past Mendy, but smashes against the crossbar as Real Madrid miss a chance to seize an early lead.

VInicius off the bar!

Danjuma!Villarreal have stunned Bayern within the first eight minutes as Danjuma has scored.Parejo's shot (pass?) flashes across goal and Danjuma is there to pounce to turn it home.An awful, awful start for the German giants, but what a start for Villarreal!

GOAL VILLARREAL!

The ball has been kicked and we are underway in England and Spain.

Kickoff!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Thibaut Courtois booed as his name is read out at Stamford Bridge. His efforts to make peace haven't been heard in SW6. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CFC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a>— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) <a href="https://twitter.com/NizaarKinsella/status/1511779050829852679?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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A harsh reception for one former Chelsea star

"We have to learn from [the defeat by Brentford] but it is also not the first time we do it," Tuchel told BT Sport. "It is a new competition, a new evening and a new opponent."

Tuchel speaks before kickoff

In a different multiverse, Kai Havertz may be lining up on the other side tonight.Chelsea correspondent Nizaar Kinsella reflected on Havertz's path to Stamford Bridge, and how close that path came to taking him to Real Madrid instead.<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/how-chelsea-beat-real-madrid-sign-70m-havertz/blt3e7f76f9d4ace826" target="_self">Read the full story on GOAL!</a>

How Chelsea beat Real Madrid to sign £70m Havertz

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">10 - Since Thomas Tuchel’s first UEFA Champions League game in charge of Chelsea, the Blues have kept 10 clean sheets in 15 games; the most of any team. They also have the lowest goals conceded per game ratio during this period (0.47), conceding just seven times. Specialist. <a href="https://t.co/FR6x9Mhqla">pic.twitter.com/FR6x9Mhqla</a>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1511770483590639630?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Can the clean sheet specialists do it against Real Madrid?

After his stint at Arsenal, Unai Emery has bounced back and showed why he's long been seen as a top manager.Emery's Villarreal will have a chance to show that the Spanish boss still has the magic touch in continental competition, even if they face a massive task against Bayern Munich.<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/emery-recovered-arsenal-nightmare-lift-villarreal-europe-top/bltad78f082e9d63289" target="_self">Read about Emery's Villarreal resurgence on GOAL!</a>

How Emery recovered from his Arsenal nightmare to lift Villarreal back to Europe’s top table

The American is back in the lineup as Chelsea face Real Madrid.A reminder of what he did when these two teams faced off last season:<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">El pase. El control. La definición. @cpulisic_10 vs <a href="https://twitter.com/realmadrid?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realmadrid</a> 👊 <a href="https://t.co/EH6Y1t4Epv">pic.twitter.com/EH6Y1t4Epv</a>— Chelsea FC en español (@ChelseaFC_Sp) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC_Sp/status/1389982039382937602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Pulisic starts for Chelsea

It's been months since we've seen Alphonso Davies, but the Canadian star is officially back.Davies has been out of action due to a heart issue but, after recently being cleared, the Bayern defender is back in the starting XI.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">TFW when you're back in the starting line-up after three months out with a heart condition 🙌 <a href="https://t.co/Q3KcILcpke">pic.twitter.com/Q3KcILcpke</a>— GOAL (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1511761752337399820?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Davies is BACK!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">¡Nuestro 1️⃣1️⃣ inicial ante el <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBayern?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCBayern</a>!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/eIXo9X6wVY">pic.twitter.com/eIXo9X6wVY</a>— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) <a href="https://twitter.com/VillarrealCF/status/1511762046660063234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🔴 Tonight's <a href="https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChampionsLeague</a> XI 🔴<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/packmas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#packmas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VCFFCB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VCFFCB</a> <a href="https://t.co/uOpE4jSgIC">pic.twitter.com/uOpE4jSgIC</a>— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBayernEN/status/1511761771232739332?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Team news: Villarreal vs Bayern Munich

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Your Chelsea team tonight! 🤝<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/LIxZSuiYQs">pic.twitter.com/LIxZSuiYQs</a>— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/1511763296638185474?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">📋✅ ¡Nuestro 𝗫𝗜 inicial 🆚 <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC_Sp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChelseaFC_Sp</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/UnicajaBanco?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UnicajaBanco</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/4VzbhvJKAU">pic.twitter.com/4VzbhvJKAU</a>— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) <a href="https://twitter.com/realmadrid/status/1511743457991311362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Team news: Chelsea vs Real Madrid

Hello all, and welcome to today's coverage of the Champions League.We've got two big ones on the schedule today, with a clash of heavyweights serving as the headliner.Last season's winners, Chelsea, are set to face the kings of the competition in Real Madrid, as Stamford Brige hosts Karim Benzema and co. in what should be a tasty quarter-final clash.In the the other match, Bayern Munich will look to solidify their spot as one of the favourites against underdog Villarreal, who will have hopes of putting together a massive upset against the German giants.So sit back, strap in and follow along as we have you covered throughout today's Champions League matches.

Welcome!

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Champions League LIVE: Unstoppable Benzema leads Real Madrid past Chelsea as Villarreal stun Bayern | Goal.com

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