Karim Benzema’s goal against Chelsea in the first leg quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League in Stamford Bridge has been voted the best goal in the 2021-2022 UEFA Champions League season.
Benzema won the accolade after he fend off a contest from his fellow teammate Vinicius Junior and Les Parisien Kylian Mbappe.
The France World Cup-winning star, who won the player of the tournament award, recording the 15 goals in 12 clinically-processed matches, scored a goal in the final against Liverpool, which was controversially disallowed for offside by VAR.
According to Daily Mail, the top 10 goals of the competition being selected by UEFA’s Technical Observer panel pipped Benzema’s header against Chelsea in the quarter-final first-leg at Stamford Bridge ahead of Vinicius’ which came second.
Following Vinicius’ mesmeric solo effort against Shakhtar Donetsk in the group stages, Kylian Mbappe’s late winner versus Madrid in the last-16 first leg completed the top three in the best goal category.
Also on the shortlist was Robert Lewandowski’s goal against Dynamo Kyiv, Alex Telles’ volley versus Villarreal and Lionel Messi’s strike against Manchester City.
Thiago Alcantara’s scintillating long-range effort against Porto for Liverpool was 10th on the list.
Benzema’s season has been spectacular with the Madrid No 9 slotting in some decisive goals to help Madrid cap their 35th La Liga title win with a 14th Champions League trophy.
Following the Champions League triumph by Los Blancos in Stade de France over Liverpool, Benzema lifted his fifth UEFA Champions League trophy in his 13 years spell with the La Liga giants since moving from Lyon in 2009. The deal was worth €35m and rose to €41m based on incentives.
