The French forward single-handedly ensured his side avoid an early exit from Europe’s grandest stage, saving them great embarrassment.
Karim Benzema scored both the goals in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday night.
The risk of elimination was looming over their heads when Los Blancos entered the final match of the Champions League group stage.
Benzema’s heroics not only came as a huge relief for the under-fire Zinedine Zidane but his brace also made sure that his side go into the knockout stages as Group B leaders.
The striker became only the third player, alongside usual suspects Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, to cross the 50-goal mark in the Champions League group stage
Making his 527th appearance in the famous white shirt against the German opposition, he also became the foreign player with most appearances for Real Madrid.
“Benzema had already convinced us with his football, with his game, with his contribution to the center of the field,” club legend Carlos Alonso Gonzalez, aka Santillana, told Radio MARCA.
“But now he plays ahead and takes advantage of the team’s game. He’s surprising us all. He had convinced us with his game, but now also with the goals.
“He is going to give Real Madrid a lot of success and I hope he will continue for many more years. “
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