Player Ratings: Real Madrid 2-3 Chelsea (5-4) Agg – 2021/22
Real Madrid fought back from 3-0 down and 4-3 behind on aggregate to see off the current Champions League holders with a 5-4 win on aggregate to reach the semi-finals.
Mason Mount gave Chelsea the dream start with a great finish after being played in by Timo Werner. Antonio Rudiger then levelled the tie with a header before Werner put the Blues ahead with an excellent individual effort.
Just as things looked to be over for Madrid, Rodrygo came off the bench to restore parity with a brilliant finish following a sensational cross from Luka Modric.
Karim Benzema again grabbed the decisive goal after another assist from Vinicius Junior to send Real Madrid through to their 31st Champions League semi-final, which is at least 11 more than any other side.
Player ratings:
Starting XI:
Thibaut Courtois: 7/10
Not much the Belgian could’ve done to save any of Chelsea’s goals and things weren’t made easy for him due his teammates poor defending.
Dani Carvajal: 7.5/10
Nacho: 7/10
Filled in for the suspended Militao. The Spaniard put in a decent shift but was let down by some horrible defending from his teammates.
David Alaba: 5/10
Arguably Alaba’s worst performance in a Real Madrid shirt. The Austrian lacked his usual calmness and composure and looked a shadow of his former self.
Ferland Mendy: 3/10
Luka Modric: 9/10
Casemiro: 6/10
Casemiro was one of the best performers in the reverse fixtures at the Bridge but tonight, he was quite a way away from that. The Brazilian provided very little security in midfield and was eventually replaced by goalscorer Rodrygo.
Toni Kroos: 5/10
Tough night for Toni. The German found it difficult to keep up with Loftus-Cheek and Kovacic in the middle of the park and wasn’t very effective in possession either. Replaced by Camavinga with 73 minutes on the clock.
Fede Valverde: 6/10
Fede didn’t have the impact that was expected of him tonight but he covered a lot of ground and his energy proved to be crucial during extra time.
Karim Benzema: 9/10
Vinicius Jr: 7.5/10
Substitutions:
Eduardo Camavinga: 9/10 – Came on to replace Toni Kroos. The young Frenchman put in a superb performance, adding urgency to Madrid’s game and played a big role in Karim Benzema’s winner. Fantastic shift.
Rodrygo Goes: 8.5/10 – Came on to replace Casemiro. The Brazilian scored the all important equaliser just minutes after coming on. Brilliant impact off the bench.
Marcelo: 7/10 – Came on to replace Mendy and almost immediately got involved in Rodrygo’s goal. Decent performance from the captain.
Lucas Vazquez: 7/10 – Came on to replace the injured Nacho. Vazquez improved on Carvajal at right-back and added some security to a rather shaky defence.
Dani Ceballos: N/A – Came on to replace Vinicius late on.
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