Real Madrid are in the hat for the next round of the Champions League, with a 2-1 victory over Benfica on Wednesday ensuring a 3-1 aggregate success in their play-off round tie.
Thibaut Courtois – 7
Did brilliantly to stop Raul Asencio scoring an own goal prior to Benfica’s opener, and he made huge stop later in the first half to deny Richard Rios.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6
Struggled defensively, although he did carry a threat going forward.
Raul Asencio – 6
Almost scored at the wrong end, before being taken off with a head injury in the second half.
Antonio Rudiger – 6.5
Playing on the left side of defence does not suit Rudiger, but he did well enough.
Alvaro Carreras – 7
Solid performance, as is so often the case with the former Benfica man.
Fede Valverde – 7.5
Got through a power of work down the right flank, and his reward was two assists.
Arda Guler – 6.5
A couple of nice moments, but he is still struggling to recover his best level.
Aurelien Tchouameni – 7.5
Scored the goal for 1-1 at a crucial time, and on the whole, it was a very solid performance in the centre of midfield.
Eduardo Camavinga – 6.5
Did well alongside Carreras to nullify any threat down Benfica’s right, and he tried his best to contribute in attack.
Gonzalo Garcia – 6
Given the nod after Kylian Mbappe pulled out late, but he was largely anonymous before being taken off in the second half.
Vinicius Junior – 6.5
Started well, but fizzled out until he scored the goal that sealed Real Madrid’s place in the next round of the Champions League.
Substitutes
David Alaba – 6
Did well after coming on for the stricken Asencio.
Franco Mastantuono – 6
His first appearance in four matches, and he looked bright on the right wing.
Cesar Palacios – 6
Picked up a late yellow card on his Bernabeu debut.
Thiago Pitarch – 6
Another to make their home debut, and the 18-year-old had a couple of nice moments during his 15-minute cameo.
Fran Garcia – N/A
Brought on late to give Carreras a rest, as he appeared for the first time in over a month.
