MADRID: Real Madrid held off a stunning Chelsea comeback to win a thrilling Champions League quarter-final 5-4 on aggregate on Tuesday, thanks to Luka Modric and Karim Benzema.

At the Santiago Bernabeu, Mason Mount, Antonio Rudiger, and Timo Werner placed Europe’s reigning champions on the verge of an incredible triumph, erasing Madrid’s 3-1 lead from the first leg.

But Modric, 36, came up with another stroke of brilliance to add to his illustrious career, an exquisite pass with the outside of his right foot setting up Rodrygo to volley in and pushing a nerve-wracking match into extra time.

Benzema moved up to claim the winner after scoring a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge, capitalising on a Rudiger slip to head in, a 3-2 defeat enough to send Madrid into the semi-finals.

When the final whistle blew, Modric and Benzema collapsed to the ground, their combined 70 years of experience belying two more brilliant contributions that have propelled Real Madrid to a 14th European Cup.

In the last four, they will face either Manchester City or Atletico Madrid.

Chelsea came in revitalised after putting six past Southampton in the Premier League last weekend, after being hammered by Brentford and then outplayed by Madrid in the first leg last week.

To pull off this comeback, Thomas Tuchel remarked on Monday that they’d need a “fantastic script” and they certainly delivered, with their one flaw being their inability to stop Modric and Benzema from doing what they’ve done so many times before.

Mount’s 15th-minute goal set the tone, with Madrid immediately tense and Chelsea given early hope.

Mateo Kovacic had played an important role in the build-up, but it was Ruben Loftus-fast Cheek’s cross into Werner that took Madrid off guard, the German directing the ball into Mount’s path with his knee, who advanced and fired past Courtois.

Chelsea ruled for 20 minutes, while Madrid fought back. Reece James was doing an excellent job of containing Vinicius Junior and preventing Madrid from fleeing.

Chelsea is in charge.

Benzema, Modric and Toni Kroos tried to wrestle back control but Chelsea’s authority was even more pronounced early in the second half and within minutes they had a second, Rudiger growing high at the back post to head in from a corner.

Madrid briefly exerted after their lead was lost, with the crowd entering the game. Marcos Alonso spun around Dani Carvajal’s sliding tackle and smashed into the top corner as Chelsea were celebrating a third goal.

Madrid appeared to be beaten, and the crowd appeared to be deserted, but the referee was ready. The Bernabeu exploded when VAR noticed Alonso had control with his hand and the judgement was changed.

With 28 minutes remaining, the draw was once again in doubt. Madrid had regained their composure and came close to scoring when Benzema’s looping header at the back post hit the crossbar.

Chelsea came back in the 73rd minute when Kovacic slipped through Werner, who calmly slalomed past two tumbling Madrid players and dribbled a deflected finish into the corner.

Before a chaotic contest turned back on Modric’s moment of magic, a frustrated Kroos was pulled off. Modric stroked a 30-yard pass to the right of the penalty box with the outside of his foot, which was volleyed in by Rodrygo, who had come on as a substitute.

Chelsea appeared to have the better chance of grabbing a late winner, and Kai Havertz nodded across the six-yard box, but Christian Pulisic fired wide.

Madrid found another gear in extra time, with Vinicius finally finding space to tear into. Rudiger should have easily cleared his floated cross, but the defender stumbled, allowing Benzema just enough space to guide his header in.

Chelsea, who had been so composed all night, suddenly appeared frazzled. Eduardo Camavinga hit the target. Havertz was turned around by Courtois Cruyff.

In the last minutes, they put everything at Madrid, with Courtois saving from Werner and Fede Valverde having to stop a shot from Thiago Silva. Madrid held on as Edouard Mendy stepped up for a late corner but it was cleared.

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