LYON, France, (Reuters) – Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema was cheered by his former Olympique Lyon fans when he came off the bench but 43 seconds later they were stunned into silence as he opened the scoring in a 1-1 Champions League first-leg draw.
The very best Hollywood scriptwriter would have struggled to have penned it better and although Bafetimbi Gomis grabbed an equaliser after 83 minutes, Real managed to take something away from the Stade Gerland for the first time in four visits.
Nine times winners Real have gone out in the first knockout round in each of the last six seasons, including here in France’s third city last year, but after the swiftest of big-stage cameos they are now in the driving seat.
Benzema, who helped Lyon win four Ligue 1 titles before joining Real in 2009, wriggled through in the box to slot home after 65 minutes. After the match the Frenchman gave his shirt to some adoring Lyon fans who forgave him for doing his duty.
“It’s a great result because we are away from home, it was an important goal for the team. It’s a really, really good moment,” the striker said, eyeing the return leg on March 16.
“I didn’t celebrate, I respect everyone here. It’s the first time I’ve scored a goal so quickly.”
