Karim Benzema’s extra-time goal put Real Madrid into the UEFA Champions League semi-finals despite a 3-2 defeat to holders Chelsea on Tuesday.

Goals from Mason Mount, Antonio Rudiger, and Timo Werner ended Real Madrid’s 3-1 win in the first leg last week, but Rodrygo’s high volley forced a tie in extra time.

Benzema, who hit a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge, had the final say, however, driving with a header six minutes into extra time to win a 5-4 aggregate victory.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side faces either Atletico Madrid or Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola’s side leading 1-0 in the first leg.

Chelsea’s strong start was rewarded in the 15th minute when Mount bent down Thibaut Courtois just inside the penalty spot after grabbing a ball that Werner had deflected forward.

Real Madrid struggled to break the stubborn Chelsea backline in the first half, and Ancelotti’s men went into the break without firing their target.

Chelsea equalized for a six-minute tie in the second half, with Rudiger planting a powerful ball past Courtois from Mount.

Alonso thought he had stopped Chelsea just 11 minutes later when he climbed into the top corner from eight yards, yet his effort did not go hand in hand following a VAR check.

Benzema hit a crossbar head recently before Werner put Chelsea ahead in the 75th minute with a strike that proved too hot for Cotois to handle.

Madrid are back on top with 10 minutes left, however, as Rodrygo, who had just two minutes left on the pitch, headed in a superb volley past Edouard Mendy from the stunning Luka Modric cross.

That put Benzema’s final goal in extra time, with the Frenchman overseas passing Mendy from 10 yards following a fine left-back performance by Vinicius Junior.