LONDON: A brilliant hat-trick by Karim Benzema loosened Chelsea’s grip on the Champions League trophy as Real Madrid won 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their quarter-final.

Spanish football enjoyed more success in the other quarter-final with Villarreal defeating German champions Bayern Munich 1-0.

Last season Chelsea had been comfortable winners by 3-1 on aggregate over Madrid in the semi-finals on their way to defeating Manchester City in the final. However that was long before the upheaval created by UK financial sanctions on owner Roman Abramovich and the club’s enforced sale.

On Saturday Chelsea had collapsed 4-1 at home to Brentford in the Premier League and they carried that chaotic defending into Europe.

Vinicius Junior hit a post and then Karim Benzema struck twice with two superb headers in the 21st and 24th minutes. Vinicius provided the cross for the first goal from the left and Luka Modric set up the second with his delivery from the right.

Kai Havertz claimed a penalty in vain after tangling with Casemiro as Chelsea struggled to work their way back into the match. VAR was quick to endorse referee Clement Turpin’s decision to wave play on.

Earlier referee Turpin had shown a yellow cad to Eder Militao which will rule the Madrid defender out of next Tuesday’s return in the Estadio Bernabeu.

Havertz gained a reward for his efforts in the 39th minute, heading home a Jorginho cross on the run to bring Chelsea back into the game. Moments later Jorginho raced back to distract Benzema, closing in on goal.

Really Benzema should have completed a hat-trick but he made no mistake in the opening minutes of the second half when Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy misplaced a pass after advancing far upfield to try to deal with a lofted Madrid clearance.

Goalkeepers never appear to learn about the dangers of the marauding Benzema. The goal lifted Benzema to 11 for the campaign, a competition record for a Frenchman. He had also scored a hat-trick in Madrid’s previous triumph over Paris Saint-Germain.

Chelsea refused to give up. Cesar Azpilicueta forced a brilliant save from Courtois before Mason Mount and then substitute Romelu Lukaku also went close. The world champions pushed Madrid further and further back in defence but they held out for a first-ever victory over Chelsea in European competition.

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