Chelsea’s victory against Real Madrid on a night of high drama at the Bernabeu Stadium was not enough to sustain their hopes of retaining their reign as European champions.

In a Champions League epic, Mason Mount’s finish and Antonio Rudiger’s header wiped out Real’s 3-1 first-leg advantage and brought the quarter-final tie level in Spain’s capital.

Thomas Tuchel’s side were outstanding throughout and Timo Werner’s clever finish from an angle put them ahead for the first time on aggregate and within sight of a place in the semi-finals.

Benzema, who had earlier headed against the bar on a rollercoaster night, was unmarked when he scored to break Chelsea’s hearts after Rudiger slipped inside the box.

In the end, Chelsea, who played superbly, were made to pay for their first-leg performance as Tuchel’s side just fell short of producing one of the great comebacks in the competition.

Social media has been reacting to the development.

DAVID ALABA DANCE ACADEMY
📞 Call for inquiries pic.twitter.com/66cCWwU33S

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 12, 2022

Manchester United fans watching this game and having the nerve to tease Chelsea is soo laughable. 😂😂😂

— Kwame Benaiah (@kwamebenaiah) April 12, 2022

Them force de3 yen fa ka sem. Take the goals to Cobham

M’asre awu pic.twitter.com/f9wgzCNOSB

— Juliet Bawuah (@julietbawuah) April 12, 2022

It hurts, but we'll be back stronger. 💛 pic.twitter.com/ldWFlylTds

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 12, 2022

Seriously though, it must hurt being a Man United or Arsenal fan watching Chelsea go toe to toe with Real Madrid tonight. Says a lot about how much your sorry teams have sunk. Sad indeed!

— Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo (@Fentuo_) April 12, 2022

Reece James is absolutely incredible, I was in awe by his performance. Says a lot that Karim Benzema asked for his shirt after the game.

— TC (@totalcristiano) April 12, 2022

Chelsea Football Club, that is one of the best 90 minute performances I’ve ever seen from you. What a game, what a team.

— George Benson (@MrGeorgeBenson) April 12, 2022

Karim Benzema after scoring the winner for Real Madrid 🥺 pic.twitter.com/zuNKRjT3fE

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 12, 2022

Thomas Tuchel: Real Madrid is one of the toughest opponent in the history of UEFA but tonight we as Chelsea will dismantle their defense and qualify.
Ancelloti: Chelsea???😂😂 pic.twitter.com/dClK84P9g2

— MANHIMSELF🎭  (@manhimself__) April 12, 2022

Time to be proud for Chelsea. Top performance, incredible reaction and again credits to Thomas Tuchel. Almost two months with no ownership and under sanction – never easy. 🔵 #CFC

… and what a player, Toni Rüdiger. More than a centre back. Pure leadership. pic.twitter.com/QSBLI4Qd0i

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 12, 2022