Carlo Ancelotti was true to his word. The Italian coach declared in August that there would be rotation in 2014-15 and that all of Real Madrid's players would receive opportunities in the starting XI this season but Javier Hernandez's chance came and went with a whimper on Wednesday.
The Mexican striker started up front alongside Cristiano Ronaldo away at Ludogorets in Sofia, with Isco and Asier Illarramendi included as well in a 4-4-2 formation which featured Gareth Bale as an orthodox right winger.
So prolific in their last few games, hitting 20 goals in their previous four fixtures, Madrid played poorly in this one and never really found their rhythm until right at the end.
Ludogorets proved a tougher nut to crack then many had anticipated - just as the Bulgarian side had done on the first matchday against Liverpool - and the home team went ahead early on as Madrid once again failed to deal with a set piece.
Hernandez then won a penalty at the other end in what was his only meaningful contribution of the entire evening but Ronaldo saw his spot kick saved by Vladislav Stoyanov and the local fans could not believe what they were witnessing.
Ronaldo also saw a strike ruled out incorrectly for offside and then looked for - and got - another penalty with a blatant dive which followed a neat turn in the area. Against a side considered perhaps the weakest in the entire competition, the European champions had reverted to desperate measures.
Ronaldo scored this time but Stoyanov guessed right and was close to a second save. With that goal, the Portuguese moved to 69 strikes in the Champions League, now just two behind Raul's record of 71.
Ronaldo was invariably involved in Madrid's best work after that and saw a second-half shot cleared off the line but Hernandez was largely lost, attempting just 10 passes in his 67 minutes, completing a mere five and never looking like a real goal threat with only one shot on target.
Ancelotti had seen enough and sent on Benzema in his place and Madrid improved immediately as the Frenchman linked up with his fellow forwards and scored what turned out to be the winner as he found space to fire home from close range. That was his 38th Champions League goal in his 66th appearance in the competition. Only Ruud van Nistelrooy (45 games) and Lionel Messi (59) reached that mark in fewer games.
But Benzema does so much more than that and the former Lyon man later set up substitute Toni Kroos for a fantastic chance which the German blasted over the bar.
Hernandez offers none of that and rarely creates for others. It was a sub-standard showing from the Manchester United loanee and his performance proved that he is better off on the bench, coming on as a late substitute when defences are already tired. For all his hard work and good will, the Mexican highlighted what many already suspected - that he will never be the first-choice centre forward at Madrid.
