The 34-year-old Frenchman is enjoying an extraordinary late peak to an already fine career and Chelsea may well have to pay by surrendering their European crown to the 13-time champions.
Chelsea visit the Bernabeu for Tuesday’s return, still with a glimmer of hope - especially with the away-goals rule now abandoned.
And they played their part in a belting contest - one of those Champions League knock-out ties which allow you to momentarily forget about the stench of elite-club ownership and marvel at the quality of the world’s finest footballers at the sharp end of this competition.