Chelsea 1-3 Real Madrid: Europe is Karim Benzema's garden
The French striker struck another hat-trick on the biggest stage
Karim Benzema struck a hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Chelsea 3-1 in London on Wednesday to take control of their Champions League quarterfinal tie.
Benzema scored two sublime headers in the first half but Chelsea responded through Kai Havertz just before the break.
However, a mistake from goalkeeper Edouard Mendy let Mendy in for a third in the first minute of the second half as Madrid restored their two-goal advantage.
The teams will meet again in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu next Tuesday.
Benzema struck a hat-trick as Madrid eliminated Paris Saint-Germain in the last round and he was again the difference-maker at Stamford Bridge.
The French striker played a one-two with Vinicius Jr. in the 21st minute before planting a brilliant header beyond Mendy.
Three minutes later, he doubled Madrid's lead, scoring another fantastic header as calls grow for him to win the Ballon d'Or this year.
Chelsea tried to fight back and got back in the game through Haverz, who scored the winning goal in last season's final against Manchester City.
Their chances of turning the game around were struck by a silly mistake by Mendy just second into the second period, though.
The goalkeeper's pass was cut out by Benzema and, with Mendy in no man's land, he turned home from 20 yards out.
As the rain lashed down, the Premier League side tried to find at least another goal before next week's return leg in Madrid, but Carlo Ancelotti's side saw out a brilliant win.
