Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has drawn level with Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski on the list of the all-time highest goalscorers in the Champions League after he found the back of the net against English champions Manchester City on Wednesday. The France international scored from the spot in extra time of the second leg in the Champions League semifinal tie between Real Madrid and Manchester City. His goal was decisive as it took Real Madrid to the Champions League final.

France national team attacker Benzema has been a thorn in the flesh of the defenders in the Champions League knockout stage this season. He has now scored 15 goals in the Champions League this season including ten goals in the knockout stage only.

The France international scored five times in the group stage before he took his tally to eight goals with a hat-trick in seventeen minutes during the second leg of the last 16 tie with French champions Paris Saint Germain (PSG). Benzema took his tally to 11 goals when he scored another hat-trick in the first leg of the quarterfinal tie with reigning champions Chelsea. He scored one more goal against the Blues in the second leg to make it 12 goals.

France star Benzema scored twice in the first leg of the semifinal tie with Manchester City thus making it a tally of 14 goals. His goal in the second leg against Manchester City made it 15 goals and he was able to extend his lead over nearest challenger Lewandowski to two goals.

The goal for Benzema against the Citizens in the second leg of their last four tie is a significant one as it took his overall Champions League tally to 86 goals making him joint third alongside Polish international Lewandowski. He’s still a long way from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in first and second respectively with 140 goals and 125 goals.