Karim Benzema Targeted With Laser Before Scoring Panenka Against Manchester City

Karim Benzema was targeted with a green laser pen in the moments before scoring a Panenka penalty in Real Madrid's Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City.

City edged a seven-goal thriller at the Etihad on Tuesday night to take a 4-3 lead into the second leg at the Bernabeu next Wednesday.

Kevin De Bruyne put City ahead after less than two minutes before Gabriel Jesus added a second for the hosts shortly afterwards.

Benzema pulled one back with an instinctive finish before the break, with Phil Foden and Vinicius Jr trading goals early in the second half.

Bernardo Silva restored City’s two-goal lead before Madrid were handed a late penalty when the ball struck Aymeric Laporte’s arm inside the area.

As Benzema prepared to take the crucial spot kick, a green laser was directed at his face from the home support.

But the France international kept his composure to score an outrageous Panenka down the middle of Ederson’s goal.

It was his 41^st goal of the season for Madrid in as many games.

There have been a number of high-profile incidents of players being targeted by laser pens while taking penalties in recent matches.

Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was on the receiving end during the Euro 2020 semi-final against England at Wembley last summer.

Mohamed Salah was also targeted during Egypt’s 2022 World Cup play-off defeat to Senegal last month.

Speaking after the defeat to City, Benzema explained why he had chosen to do a Panenka after missing two penalties in a La Liga match against Osasuna last weekend.

"All the goalkeepers have studied my penalties and I had to change," he said.

"The penalty by me was cold blooded."