MADRID, April 12, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Luka Modric turned the tie and Karim 
Benzema settled it as Real Madrid held off a sensational fightback from 
Chelsea on Tuesday to win an enthralling Champions League quarter-final 5-4 
on aggregate.

     Chelsea wiped out Madrid's 3-1 lead from the first leg in stunning 
fashion at the Santiago Bernabeu as Mason Mount, Antonio Rudiger and Timo 
Werner put Europe's reigning champions on the brink of a incredible victory.

     But the 36-year-old Modric intervened with another moment of genius to 
add to the very best of his glittering career, a sumptuous pass with the 
outside of his right foot setting up Rodrygo to volley in and sending a 
nerve-shredding contest into extra time.

     After scoring a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge, Benzema then stepped 
forward to claim the winner, the Frenchman capitalising on a Rudiger slip to 
head in, a 3-2 defeat enough to see Madrid into the semi-finals.

     At the final whistle, Modric and Benzema dropped to the floor, their 
combined 70 years of age belying another two vintage contributions that have 
dragged Real Madrid in sight of a 14th European Cup. 

     They will face either Manchester City or rivals Atletico Madrid in the 
last four.

     After being thrashed by Brentford and then outplayed by Madrid in the 
first leg last week, Chelsea came in rejuvenated after putting six past 
Southampton in the Premier League last weekend.

     Thomas Tuchel said on Monday they would need a "fantastic script" to 
pull off this comeback and they certainly delivered that, their only failing 
an inability to prevent Modric and Benzema doing what they have done so many 
times before.

     Mount's goal in the 15th minute set the tone, Madrid immediately 
consumed by tension and Chelsea given early hope. 

     Mateo Kovacic had been key in the build-up but it was Ruben Loftus-
Cheek's quick pass into Werner that caught Madrid cold, the German steering 
the ball with his knee into the path of Mount, who advanced and fired past 
Courtois.

     For 20 minutes, Chelsea were dictating, Madrid pegged back. Reece James 
was doing a fine job restricting Vinicius Junior, blocking Madrid's escape 
route.

     - Chelsea take command -

     Benzema, Modric and Toni Kroos tried to wrestle back control but 
Chelsea's authority was even more pronounced early in the second half and 
within minutes they had a second, Rudiger rising high at the back post to 
head in from a corner.

     With their lead gone, Madrid briefly exerted, the crowd coming into the 
contest. But Chelsea were celebrating a third when Marcos Alonso pivoted 
round Dani Carvajal's sliding tackle and slammed into the top corner.

     Madrid looked beaten, the stadium dead, but the referee was waiting. VAR 
spotted Alonso had controlled with his hand and when the decision was 
reversed, the Bernabeu erupted.

     With 28 minutes left, the tie was back in the balance. Madrid had 
renewed impetus and almost scored, Benzema's looping header at the back post 
dropping onto the crossbar.

     But it was brief, Chelsea coming again in the 73rd minute as Kovacic 
slid through Werner, who coolly slalomed past two sliding Madrid defenders 
and sent a deflected finish dribbling into the corner.

     A disappointed Kroos was taken off before a wild contest turned again on 
the moment of magic from Modric. With the outside of his foot, Modric stroked 
a 30-yard pass over to the right of the penalty area where Rodrygo, on as a 
substitute, volleyed in.

     Chelsea looked the more likely to nick a late winner and nearly did, Kai 
Havertz nodding across the six-yard box but Christian Pulisic shot over. 

     Into extra time and Madrid found another gear, Vinicius finally finding 
space to tear into. His floated cross might have been easily cleared by 
Rudiger but the defender slipped, giving Benzema just enough space to guide 
his header in.

     Chelsea, so composed all night, suddenly looked ragged. Eduardo 
Camavinga fired over. Courtois Cruyff-turned around Havertz. 

     But they threw everything at Madrid in the final minutes, Courtois 
saving from Werner before Fede Valverde had to block a shot from Thiago 
Silva. Edouard Mendy went up for a final corner but it was cleared, Madrid 
holding on.