Real Madrid star forward Karim Benzema equalled his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo for the most goals in UEFA Champions League knockouts in a single season.
Benzema achieved the incredible feat during Real Madrid’s second leg encounter against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League 2021-22 semi-final at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The French international converted an important penalty in the 95th minute of the extra-time to help the Los Blancos secure a thrilling 6-5 victory on aggregate against the Premier League side to book their place in the UCL 2021-22 final.
This was Benzema’s 10th goal in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League 2021-22 campaign, equalling the record set by Ronaldo during the 2016-17 season.
The former Lyon forward had also netted a brace in their 3-4 defeat against Manchester City in the first leg of the encounter at the Etihad Stadium.
Benzema has been in sensational form in the ongoing Champions League, scoring a hat-trick against star-studded Paris Saint-Germain in their round of 16 encounter. Coming from 0-2 behind in the tie, the French star helped the Los Blancos secure a memorable 3-2 win on aggregate over PSG.
The talismanic striker continued his impressive form as he once again netted a hat-trick against defending champions Chelsea in the first leg encounter of their UCL 2021-22 quarter-final tie. He also scored an important goal in the second leg of the tie to help Real Madrid pip Chelsea 5-4 on aggregate.
Benzema is currently the leading goal-scorer in UCL 2021-22 season, netting 15 goals in 11 matches, two more than Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.
Former Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo earlier scored 10 UCL knockout goals during the 2016-17 campaign.
The Portugal football team captain had scored five goals combined across two legs against Bayern Munich in their 6-3 win in the UCL 2016-17 quarter-final tie.
Ronaldo followed it up by netting a hat-trick against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their UCL 2016-17 semi-final encounter.
He ended the campaign on a high as he scored a brace against Juventus in the final as the Los Blancos secured a 4-1 win to clinch their second consecutive UEFA Champions League title.
Ronaldo had also scored eight knockout goals for Real Madrid during the UCL 2013-14 campaign.
Lionel Messi features fourth on the list for most goals in UCL knockouts in a single season. The Argentine striker netted eight goals for FC Barcelona during the UCL 2011-12 season.
Most goals in UEFA Champions League knockouts in one season
| Player | Club | Goals | Season |
| Karim Benzema | Real Madrid | 10 | 2021-22 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | 10 | 2016-17 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | 8 | 2013-14 |
| Lionel Messi | FC Barcelona | 8 | 2011-12 |
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Featured photo: TORU YAMANAKA / AFP
