KARIM BENZEMA once again entered Champions League folklore with a brilliant hat-trick against Chelsea.

The Real Madrid hitman put the Blues to the sword in the first half of their quarter-final at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night with two stupendous headers.

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And the 34-year-old added to the misery for clubs in crisis soon after the restart by capitalizing on a howl from Edouard Mendy to pocket his third and Real’s.

Benzema’s third goal of the night saw him break the record for the most Champions League goals scored in a single season by a Frenchman.

Ahead of Real’s trip to west London, Benzema followed David Trezeguet, Wissam Ben Yedder and international team-mate Kylian Mbappe – who had all scored eight goals in a single campaign in Europe’s elite club competition – in the list .

But the veteran striker is now alone at the front of the pack having found the back of the net nine times in Real’s last European campaign.

Footy fans took to Twitter in droves to hail Benzema, with one saying: “Benzema is the best player in the world.”

Another said: “Benzema is so cold.”

And another said: “No one can tell me otherwise, I swear Benzema is the best player in the world.”

One remarked: “Benzema is crazy…GOOD!!!”

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Another added: “Benzema STOP IT.”

Benzema’s hat-trick against the Blues was his second in his last two Champions League outings – the first of which came last month in the round of 16 against PSG.

One footy fan tweeted: “Back to back Champions League hat tricks for Karim Benzema.

“He’s 34, by the way.”

Another asked: “Wait what the f**k KARIM BENZEMA NOW HAS BACK TO BACK UCL HATTIES????”

Benzema’s exploits at Stamford Bridge took his tally for the season to a staggering 37 goals in 36 appearances.

Benzema and his Real team-mates will be back in action on Saturday night, hosting Getafe at the Bernabeu.