Benzema achieves exclusive feat with brace as Real Madrid defeat Shakhtar

Karim Benzema achieved a feat never to be matched by any Real Madrid player as he scored a brace to help Real Madrid defeat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu in their UEFA Champions League Group D clash.

Benzema scored Real Madrid’s 1000th goal in European competition, making them the first side to achieve this feat in history. The striker has also now scored 75 goals in the UEFA Champions League, putting him behind only Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski on the all-time charts.

Benzema opened the scoring after only 14 minutes in front of Real Madrid’s fans at the Bernabeu. Shakhtar Donetsk were caught out as they attempted to play out from the back, with Vinicius Jr snatching a loose pass at the feet of Marlon Santos before teeing up Benzema to pass the ball into an empty net.

Despite being under immense pressure for most of the first half, Shakhtar Donetsk pulled themselves level minutes before the end of the first half. Alan Patrick chested the ball down in the box for strike partner Fernando to blast a volley into the roof of the net from close range and draw the Ukrainian side level after 39 minutes.

Fernando tested Courtois again after the resumption of hostilities in the second half before some sublime football from Real Madrid ended their resistance.

Real Madrid toyed with the Shakhtar team with their one-touch football which ripped the defence of the Ukrainian side to shreds and ended with a pass from Vinicius Jr to Benzema, who fired past the Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper from around the penalty spot just after the hour mark to put his side 2-1 up.

Benzema continues to be one of Europe’s most prolific players as he brought up his tally for the season to an incredible 13 in 14 matches for Los Blancos. His goal was met by shouts of “Ballon d’Or” by the Santiago Bernabeu crowd in acknowledgement of his incredible form.

Real Madrid have now scored 1000 goals in European competition including qualifiers, winning the UEFA Champions League/European Cup a record 13 times in their history.

After Benzema’s brace helped Real Madrid defeat Shakhtar Donetsk, they have moved to the top of Group D pending the result of Moldovan minnows Sheriff Tiraspol against Inter Milan in the group’s other game.