Karim Benzema admitted he surprised himself by scoring within seconds of coming on in Real Madrid's 1-1 draw with his former club Lyon in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

He became the first Real player to score at Lyon in the Champions League, but a late equalizer from Bafetimbi Gomis meant the seven-time French champion preserved its unbeaten record against the Spanish heavyweight.

"I hadn't dreamed of a better return," said Benzema, who will hope to play a decisive role again when Lyon visit Madrid for the return leg on March 16.

"It's the first time I've scored so quickly. I was lucky to score straight away with my first touch.

"I didn't celebrate it because it was against Lyon; my club, where I grew up. But it was a very important goal. It's good to have scored it because Lyon played a very good match."

Benzema's match-changing cameo drew praise from his coach, Jose Mourinho, who was criticized by Real's sporting director, Jorge Valdano, earlier in the season for failing to grant the Frenchman enough playing time.

"He made a good entrance," said Mourinho. "I knew the match would open up after such a tight first half. Lyon was relying on Gomis and us on Adebayor, but we knew there would be space in the second half and Benzema capitalized on that space."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 02/24/2011 page24)