The Frenchman stayed calm under pressure
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema was targeted by a laser pen moments before he scored a penalty against Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
City and Los Blancos played out a pulsating match at the Etihad Stadium in the semi-final first leg, with the home side securing a 4-3 win.
Pep Guardiola’s men took the lead through Kevin De Bruyne, who opened the scoring inside two minutes before Gabriel Jesus added a quick second.
Madrid talisman Benzema hit back before half-time with a smart finish, before youngsters Phil Foden and Vinicius Jr traded goals early in the second period.
Benzema targeted by laser pen
Bernardo Silva restored City’s two-goal lead with a spectacular finish, until Aymeric Laporte handled the ball inside City’s penalty area to give Benzema a chance to reduce the deficit to one in the closing stages of the tie.
Pointing laser at Karim Benzema. Bernabeu is waiting for you city. pic.twitter.com/I67EA9qrtJ
— Jay (@JayPastagiya) April 26, 2022
The Frenchman delivered an ice-cold penalty as he chipped Ederson, with the Brazilian left in a heap on the ground. However, prior to the 34-year-old’s spot-kick, a green laser was seen shining on his temple.
Evidently, Benzema was able to ignore the laser as he produced another a sensational Champions League moment to set up a potentially brilliant return leg in Madrid next Wednesday.
Pep urges City to be more ‘ruthless’
Guardiola warned City they must be more ruthless to reach the Champions League final after edging Madrid in the semi-final first leg.
He said: “Regardless of the result, if it was 2-0 or 3-0 we would still have to go to Bernabéu and play well. If we play like we did in the second half, we won’t be able to win.
“If we play like we did at other periods, we will. We want to be there to put on a good show, that is what I want to tell my players to do – don’t think of anything else.
“When I became a footballer and a manager, when you go to the Bernabéu you have to perform as yourself or there is no option to win. You have to come through these situations to win the Champions League.”
The Premier League side will take a 4-3 lead to Madrid next week, hoping to progress to their second Champions League final in as many years.
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