Real Madrid entertained Paris Saint-Germain at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium earlier tonight as they looked to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg and secure qualification into the next stage of the UEFA Champions League. Los Blancos made a slow start to the game and conceded the opening goal in the 39th minute when Kylian Mbappe found the back of the net. The Madrid giants went into the half-time break 1-0 down on the scoreline.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men were given a lifeline in the 61st minute as Gianluigi Donnarumma made a poor mistake at the back which led to Karim Benzema scoring an easy equaliser. The Frenchman struck again in the 76th minute when he scored with a superb finish. Just two minutes later, Benzema completed his hattrick with a great finish to put his team 3-1 up on the night. The contest ended with Los Blancos securing a 3-1 victory (3-2 on aggregate) which kept their European hopes alive for this campaign.
Let’s take a look at how each Real Madrid player performed during the match against PSG.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – 6.5/10
The Belgian keeper made a few solid saves but couldn’t do much about Mbappe’s finish in the first half.
RB: Dani Carvajal – 6.5/10
The Spaniard earned the ball back a couple of times and made one good run down the right flank.
CB: Eder Militao – 7/10
Militao made a few crucial interceptions inside his half and cleared the danger when needed. He was also quite strong in the air.
CB: David Alaba – 6.5/10
He made a few important clearances during the game and engineered one good chance going forward.
LB: Nacho – 6.5/10
Nacho timed his challenges well to secure the ball a few times for his team. He was also tidy with his passing.
CM: Luka Modric – 8.5/10
The Croatia international got stuck in with some solid tackles and did well to pick up an assist during the game. He also made a few clever runs with the ball from midfield.
CM: Federico Valverde – 7/10
He didn’t shy away from making a tackle in midfield and had a few lively moments in the PSG half.
CM: Toni Kroos – 6.5/10
Kroos orchestrated a few decent chances for others around him.
RW: Marco Asensio – 6/10
Asensio struggled to influence the game in the final third and got replaced early in the second half.
ST: Karim Benzema – 10/10
The French striker was a constant menace in front of the opposition goal and scored three important goals to seal qualification for Los Blancos.
LW: Vinicius Junior – 8.5/10
He made plenty of promising runs with the ball down the left flank and has got an assist to show for his efforts.
Substitutes:
RW: Rodrygo – 6.5/10
Rodrygo was a threat going forward.
CM: Eduardo Camavinga – 6.5/10
He added some energy to Ancelotti’s midfield.
RB: Lucas Vazquez – 6.5/10
Vazquez kept things solid at the back.