Real Madrid player ratings in 2-1 Soccer Champions Tour win over Chelsea

Real Madrid closed out their preseason tour of the US with a 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Tuesday, as an impressive Vinícius Júnior confirmed that he has well and truly hit the ground running since returning from his summer break last week. The Brazilian looks to be firing on all cylinders ahead of Madrid’s UEFA Super Cup clash with Atalanta in Warsaw.

At Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, Vinícius set up Brahim Díaz to score Madrid’s second goal, some 10 minutes after Dani Ceballos had given Los Blancos a 19th-minute lead. Chelsea replied through Chukwunonso Madueke.

How did Real Madrid’s players perform?

Thibaut Courtois

The Belgian didn’t have much to do in the first half in North Carolina - but was found wanting on the only occasion that Chelsea launched a truly threatening attack. When Enzo Fernández crossed from the left, Courtois made to come off his line before staying where he was, and Madueke beat Fran García to the ball to head home from close range. The goalkeeper made way for Andriy Lunin at half time.

Lucas Vázquez

Vázquez showed plenty of desire to join in the Madrid attack - a state of affairs that also led to gaps behind him. Indeed, Chelsea created their goal on his right wing. However, he also had a central role to play in his team’s opener, firing in a mishit shot that Ceballos slid into the net from centimetres out.

Éder Militao

Militao began yesterday’s match with a poor clearance that almost cost Madrid a goal, but he soon settled down. The defender dealt very well with the speed of Raheem Sterling and Christopher Nkunku - by no means an easy task. The Brazilian almost scored with a header, but sent his effort just wide.

Antonio Rüdiger

Rüdiger looked a little too eager in the first half, playing with a degree of intensity that bordered on rashness. He absolutely flew into a 50-50 ball with Nkunku, and could have done the Frenchman significant harm. Thankfully, the Chelsea forward evaded Rüdiger’s challenge. The German was a little sloppy with ball at feet. He was substituted with just over 10 minutes to go, with Jacobo Ramón replacing him.

Fran García

García had major problems dealing with Madueke in the first half. The left-back isn’t having a good preseason; he also had a torrid time at the hands of Pau Víctor in last weekend’s Clásico defeat to Barcelona. García did get forward dangerously, finding space in behind Chelsea right-back Reece James, but his crosses came to nought. That was partly a problem caused by Madrid’s lack of an out-and-out centre-forward, though.

Mario Martín

Martín again played on the right-hand side of a midfield three. It’s a role in which he looked a little boxed in, but he pressed hard and moved the ball with assurance. He looked more confident than at the start of the summer tour, turning in his best performance so far. The youngster almost scored late on, with a shot from the edge of the Chelsea penalty area.

Luka Modric

Once more fielded in the middle of the three-man midfield, Modric orchestrated Madrid’s play intelligently and speedily. Defensively, however, the Croat doesn’t have that ability to cover every blade of grass and, with Chelsea playing with three pacy players in attacking midfield, they proved difficult to rein in. Modric was replaced by Lorenzo Aguado in the final 10 minutes.

Dani Ceballos

A good performance by Ceballos, who was quicker to release the ball than usual. His sluggishness in circulating possession is something that is frequently a problem with his performances. The midfielder scored Madrid’s opening goal, prodding the ball into the net after Vázquez sent a shot towards goal. He almost scored a second, too, with a strike from 20 yards or so that went was just off target.

Rodrygo Goes

This was Rodrygo’s first run-out of the preseason, and you could tell. Lacking in sharpness, he miscontrolled balls and struggled to link up with his team-mates, but that’s normal when you’re coming back from an extended period of time off. That said, Rodrygo did play the through ball to Brahim that led to Ceballos’ goal. The Brazilian’s best moments came when he was on the left flank.

Brahim Díaz

Drafted in as a false nine for Madrid, given Endrick Felipe’s absence with a muscle niggle, Brahim made a major case to be given plenty of game time this season. He laid the first goal on a plate for Vázquez, although it was Ceballos who ended up putting it in, and then he netted the second after a fine ball by Vinícius. Brahim produced a quality finish from a very tight angle.

Vinícius Júnior

In his first start of the preseason, Vinícius was excellent. It’s clear that he put in a lot of work while he was on holiday. He’s playing with a real spark. The 24-year-old ran at the Chelsea defence time and time again, and laid on Brahim’s goal with an outside-of-the-boot pass that Modric would have been proud of. He’s ready to help Madrid win their first piece of silverware of the season next week.

Real Madrid’s substitutes

Andriy Lunin

Lunin came on for Courtois at the break at Bank of America Stadium. He began by keeping out a good chance for Chelsea, and in general came across as a highly assured presence throughout the second 45. With his future very much up in the air, the Ukrainian put in a quality display.

Juanmi Latasa

Latasa was introduced for Vinícius shortly after the hour mark, earning some game time at the focal point of the attack as his future is sorted out.

Nico Paz

Brought on midway through the second half for Rodrygo, he played on the right wing and showed his shooting ability, albeit he was unsuccessful when he went for goal. When he drifted inside, he offered up some particularly nice moments of skill.

Raúl Asencio

Introduced in place of Militao some 20 minutes into the second half. Some minutes for the academy player, who hasn’t particularly strengthened his case for first-team consideration on this tour.

Rafael Obrador

A replacement for Brahim in Charlotte, Obrador was given the last 10 minutes or so on the left wing.

Jacobo Ramón

Sent on late on in place of Rüdiger, Ramón produced the odd initial moment of carelessness.

Lorenzo Aguado

Thrown on in the 83rd minute, with Modric making way.

When is Real Madrid’s next game?

After concluding their US tour, Real Madrid now return to Europe, where they will face Europa League winners Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday August 14. The clash at Warsaw’s Stadion Narodowy is scheduled to kick off at 3pm ET/12 noon PT. Viewers in the US will be able to watch the Super Cup on CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ and ViX.