Karim Benzema left football aficionados in awe when he converted his crucial penalty kick against Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League semi finals in a nonchalant 'Panenka' style.
The Frenchman, unnerved by the occasion, served to get Real Madrid back in the tie before going on to reach the final in the second leg in the Spanish capital
Benzema is the favourite for the Ballon d'Or, and admits that he had long been thinking about taking such a penalty.
"I had been practising the 'Panenka' for a long time and I was just waiting for the right moment, in a match like that, where there is a lot of pressure," he told RMC Sports.
"It's this kind of pressure that allows you to do things like that, at least for me."
Indeed, there are few moments of greater tension than a Champions League semi final away from home and with your team losing.
Madrid's penalty in Manchester came when City were 4-2 up and it was all down to Benzema keep his side in the tie.
The Panenka-style penalty even brought many City fans to their feet to applaud the French star's technique and audacity.
It should also be remembered that Benzema had seen two penalties of his saved by Sergio Herrera of Osasuna the week before, adding further pressure to his kick.
MadridMaldives
72
If you were to choose the most important and crucial moment from our journey to the UCL final, what would it be? 1️⃣ Messi’s penalty saved by Courtois in the first leg of the R16 in Paris. 2️⃣ Modric’s magical assist to Rodrygo against Chelsea to make the aggregate score 4-4 on the 80th minute in the 2nd leg of the QFs. 3️⃣ Vinicius solo goal against City to narrow down the score to one goal. 4️⃣ Benzema’s Panenka penalty goal against City after having missed 2 in the very last game. 5️⃣ Mendy's miraculous clearance of Grealish's shot at the goal line to avoid an aggregate score of 3-6 on the 87th minute in the 2nd leg of the SFs. 6️⃣ Grealish’s shot saved by Courtois with the stud of his left boot after stretching out his leg to avoid an aggregate score of 3-6 on the 87th minute in the 2nd leg of the SFs. 7️⃣ Benzema’s karate kick assist to Rodrygo to make the aggregate score 4-5 on the 89th minute in the 2nd leg of the SFs. 8️⃣ Rodrygo's second goal in the space of 99 seconds to make the aggregate score 5-5 on the 91st minute in the 2nd leg of the SFs.
leaksyd
44
I'm waiting for the right moment to strike 😅🤫
wecelmno
30
if u think after missing 2 penalties is right time to do especially in semi final against such in form club then all i can say ur COLD ICE COLD!!
MadridMaldives
23
Congrats Big Benz for yet another award! ⚽️❤️🏆
Orange_Terrors
22
Benzema is the best striker this season in Europe
Keval0225
16
cry more f**** benzi fans
cr7isdefogoat
16
all of them loved rodrygos but Mendy's was underrated so was coutois save and Benz is just from another planet
mkanderson2000
12
If you were to choose the most important and crucial moment from our journey to the UCL final, what would it be? 1️⃣ Messi’s penalty saved by Courtois in the first leg of the R16 in Paris. 2️⃣ Modric’s magical assist to Rodrygo against Chelsea to make the aggregate score 4-4 on the 80th minute in the 2nd leg of the QFs. 3️⃣ Vinicius solo goal against City to narrow down the score to one goal. 4️⃣ Benzema’s Panenka penalty goal against City after having missed 2 in the very last game. 5️⃣ Mendy's miraculous clearance of Grealish's shot at the goal line to avoid an aggregate score of 3-6 on the 87th minute in the 2nd leg of the SFs. 6️⃣ Grealish’s shot saved by Courtois with the stud of his left boot after stretching out his leg to avoid an aggregate score of 3-6 on the 87th minute in the 2nd leg of the SFs. 7️⃣ Benzema’s karate kick assist to Rodrygo to make the aggregate score 4-5 on the 89th minute in the 2nd leg of the SFs. 8️⃣ Rodrygo's second goal in the space of 99 seconds to make the aggregate score 5-5 on the 91st minute in the 2nd leg of the SFs.
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Honestly, if Real Madrid don’t win the UCL this year after everything they have had to fight through to get to the final… I will be very sad. They deserve this one, and if they do clinch it… Undoubtedly it will have to go down as one of the greatest UCL runs in history.