Four players to score in both legs of Champions League Quarters & Semis

However, Karim Benzema has crossed a milestone that neither the Argentine nor Portuguese could ever manage. 

In Champions League history, the two legendary forwards have been the top two goalscorers – both overall and in the knockout stages. Still, they haven't successfully scored in both legs of the quarter-finals and semi-finals in the same season. Benzema's impressive goal-scoring skills have ushered Real Madrid into the 2021-22 final, and some even think that it is the best Champions League campaign by an individual. Before we dive into the depths of his greatness, let us look at other players who had scored in all four of the semis and quarters. 

Neymar

When Barcelona won the trophy back in 2014-15, the trio of Messi, Neymar and Suarez netted 122 goals in that season. They scored 27 in their Champions League campaign, where Messi and Neymar were the top scorers with ten goals each, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. Neymar scored three goals over two legs against Paris Saint Germain in the quarter-finals and another three in their 5-3 aggregate victory against Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich in the semi-finals. In the summit clash, the Brazil international struck the third goal on the break in the last few seconds of Barca's 3-1 victory over Juventus at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

Edin Dzeko

Roma's key player Dzeko is remembered for his performance in the Champions League semi-finals in 2017-18. He scored the only goal in the first leg of their quarter-final tie against Barcelona, who thrashed their opponent 4-1. However, that goal was an essential factor in the team's progression due to their 3-0 comeback in the second leg. He scored his first match goal in the sixth minute of their victory in Stadio Olimpico. Dzeko also hit home and away in the 7-6 aggregate defeat to Liverpool in the semi-finals.

Fernando Morientes

During his time at Los Blancos, Morientes won the Champions League three times in six years, scoring 13 goals across these remarkable campaigns. However, he showcased his best form to date after being loaned to Monaco in 2003-04. The former Spain international concluded the Champions League as the top scorer with nine goals. The same season, he was named UEFA Forward of the Year and in the Ligue 1 team of the season. He scored both home and away against Real Madrid in the quarters and then did the same against Chelsea in the semis. 

Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema has scored 86 goals in the history of the Champions League. They wrapped up the current La Liga title with weeks to spare and reached their first Champions League final since Cristiano Ronaldo's exit. He scored three goals against PSG in the Round of 16 and secured another hat-trick against Chelsea – becoming only the fourth player to score successive three-goal hauls in the knockout stages. Benzema also made crucial goals this season against Chelsea and Manchester City. With the penalty against City, Benzema equalled Ronaldo's record for the most goals in the knockout stages in a single season with 10. He needs to score a hat-trick in the final against Liverpool to overcome Ronaldo's record for most goals in a Champions League season.