Player Ratings: Real Madrid 3-1 PSG – 2021/22

Real Madrid come back from 2-0 down on aggregate to make it through to the Champions League quarter-finals thanks to a 17-minute hat-trick from Karim Benzema.

Real Madrid started the game the better side as they looked to get an early lead and overturn a one-goal deficit from the first-leg. However, it was PSG who took the lead. Neymar played an excellent pass through to Mbappe, who finished past Courtois to give PSG the lead heading into half-time.

Ancelotti’s men got back into the game on the hour mark. Gianluigi Donnarumma was caught in possession by Benzema which led him to pass the ball straight to Vinicius. The Brazilian returned it to the Frenchman who made no mistake in firing into the back of the net.

15 minutes from time, Karim Benzema fired past Donnarumma to tie things up on aggregate following some fantastic work from Luka Modric who won the ball back on the edge of his own box and launched a counter-attack.

Directly from kick-off, Real Madrid recovered the ball, went straight down the other end before Marquinhos’ loose pass went straight to Benzema, who hit a first-time shot into the back of the net.

Karim Benzema and Real Madrid have once again shown the world that the Champions League truly is Madrid’s competition. One of the great European nights for Real Madrid.

Player ratings:

Starting XI:

Thibaut Courtois: 7/10

Made a number of fine saves to keep Real Madrid in the tie. Not much he could do to stop Mbappe’s goal.

Dani Carvajal: 6/10

Eder Militao: 8/10

With Carvajal bombing forward, Militao had to cover a lot of ground to make sure PSG don’t get in behind. The Brazilian made a number of excellent blocks and played a key role in Madrid’s comeback.

David Alaba: 8/10

Just like Militao, Alaba put in a hell of a shift. The Austrian was as solid as ever with the highlight being an unreal goal-saving challenge against Mbappe in the second half.

Nacho: 8/10

Luka Modric: 9/10

Fede Valverde: 8/10

Replaced the suspended Casemiro. The Uruguayan provided energy, grit and determination to Real Madrid’s midfield and was a key reason to Madrid winning the midfield battle in the second-half.

Marco Asensio: 4/10

Karim Benzema: 10/10

Vinicius Jr: 9/10

Substitutions:

Eduardo Camavinga: 8/10 – Came on to replace Toni Kroos. The Frenchman provided Real Madrid with bags of energy which helped trigger the turnaround.

Lucas Vazquez: 7/10 – Came on to replace Carvajal. The Galician put in a solid shift and was rarely threatened during his time on the pitch.

Rodrygo Goes: 7/10 – Came on to replace Asensio. The Brazilian was heavily involved, both in attack and defence. Very good shift from the right winger.