Benzema returns to haunt Lyon

Former Lyon striker Karim Benzema stunned his former club, scoring Real Madrid's only goal in a 1-1 draw just 43 seconds after coming on from the bench.

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 Champions League visits.

Benzema, who helped Lyon win four Ligue 1 titles before joining Real in 2009, replaced Emmanuel Adebayor in the 65th minute and made an immediate impact, wriggling through in the box to slot home.

"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."

Real coach Jose Mourinho rarely stays out of the limelight and his decision to use Benzema as an impact substitute rather than start him on his former ground certainly paid dividends.