Real Madrid player ratings vs Manchester City in Champions League second leg

Real Madrid qualified for the Champions League quarter-finals after securing a 1-2 win at the Etihad, which added to their stunning 3-0 first-leg victory at the Bernabéu.

Courtois: He kept Madrid in the game in the first half with several excellent saves. First came a relatively simple stop from a central shot by Cherki. Then he produced an impressive reflex save from a Rodrygo header, followed by a couple more interventions against Haaland. He could do little about the 1-1 equaliser; the ball reached the Norwegian with everything in his favour.

Trent: Doku kept him busy in the first half and managed to get behind him on more than one occasion. However, with help from Valverde and Güler, he controlled the Belgian better as the game progressed. He was unlucky with the 1-1 equaliser, as the ball rebounded off him and fell wide to Haaland, who finished easily. He tried his luck with a couple of shots, one of which went inches wide of the top corner and would have been a spectacular goal. He was substituted in the 83rd minute for Carvajal, leaving the pitch to loud boos because of his past with Liverpool.

Rüdiger: He continues to perform at an enormous level, excellent in challenges and composed when bringing the ball out from the back despite City’s heavy pressure. He also had a heated exchange with Donnarumma at the entrance to the tunnel at half-time.

Huijsen: The international also produced a very good performance, especially on the ball. He gave the team composure during the first half when City were applying the most pressure. He was solid in the air and remained alert to prevent any major problems, cutting out several dangerous chances towards the end.

Fran García: A solid performance from the full-back. He did not make many attacking runs but kept Cherki well under control, who only got past him when cutting inside and facing Huijsen. He became more involved in the second half, delivering a superb cross to Vinicius that almost resulted in a goal. His performance improved significantly in the final stages.

Valverde: He could have started the match in the best possible way when he found himself one-on-one with Donnarumma after one of the runs he had already made at the Bernabéu in the first leg. His finish was poor and easily saved by the Italian. He then worked hard defensively, helping Trent deal with Doku, and tried to launch several counter-attacks, although without much success.

Thiago: During Madrid’s most difficult moments in the first half, he slowed the game down and helped ease the pressure. He was not at his best for Haaland’s equaliser, as Doku got past him with relative ease before delivering the cross. He looked somewhat out of sorts in the second half and was substituted by Arbeloa for Camavinga.

Tchouameni: Another excellent performance from the Frenchman. He was imperious both with and without the ball, always playing with simplicity and intelligence. He also ventured forward to try his luck with a shot, although it was too central. He later went close with a header from a corner that seemed destined for the net, but Donnarumma reacted well. He finished the match by providing a superb pass that led to Vinicius’s 2-1 goal.

Güler: A great first half from the Turk. When Madrid were under the most pressure, he was the one who kept hold of the ball, showing that despite his small stature he knows perfectly well how to play with his back to goal and always passes with purpose. He also made several forward runs and delivered a superb ball to Vinicius that could have made it 0-2 before half-time. Tired in the second half, he was substituted in the 74th minute for Manuel Ángel.

Brahim: In open play he struggled somewhat against Khusanov’s pace, which often got the better of him. However, he produced a brilliant piece of skill with several dribbles, one of which sent Dias to the ground, although his shot was too central and easily saved by Donnarumma. He was substituted in the 68th minute for Mbappé.

Vinicius: Unstoppable in the first half. He began by playing a pass to Valverde that could easily have resulted in 0-1, but the Uruguayan failed to finish. Then his show began. He hit the post after a solo run, and in the next attack his shot was deflected by Bernardo Silva’s arm, resulting in a penalty and a red card for the Portuguese. This time he converted calmly. He had several more chances, sending one high despite being well placed and another wide from close range. In the second half he remained involved but with more difficulty and less precision in the final shot. He thought he had made it 1-2 but was marginally offside. Eventually his persistence paid off, as he appeared in the striker’s position to score the 1-2 from Tchouameni’s pass.

Substitutes:

Lunin: Came on after half-time for Courtois. In his first major test he made a good save from a close-range shot by Haaland. He then reacted well again to a powerful effort from Ait Nouri.

Mbappé: Came on in the 68th minute for Brahim. He initially looked slow and short of rhythm, picking up a clumsy yellow card. Once he got going he showed his quality and almost found himself one-on-one with Donnarumma, although the pitch seemed to stretch just a little too long for him.

Manuel Ángel: Came on in the 74th minute for Güler. He enjoyed a positive few minutes in a high-level match and showed real confidence.

Camavinga: Came on in the 74th minute for Thiago. He added dynamism to the midfield and helped the team play out from the back. His performance was solid, although as usual there were a few lapses in precision.

Carvajal: Came on in the 83rd minute for Trent, continuing his process of regaining match fitness.

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