Real Madrid player ratings as Cristiano Ronaldo inspires 3-1 win over PSG

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his second goal

    Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid beat Paris St Germain 3-1 in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie.

    The French side took the lead through Adrien Rabiot but Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot just before half-time.

    The Portugal forward then put the hosts ahead with seven minutes left before left-back Marcelo’s close-range finish gave the holders a two-goal cushion to take to Paris.

    Here, we rate the Real Madrid players after the 3-1 win at the Bernabeu.

    STARTING XI

    Keylor Navas 7 – Dropped to the deck too quick for the Rabiot opener but used that speed to get low and stop Mbappe superbly.

    Sergio Ramos 7 – What Real have craved in recent weeks. Read the danger so well and stopped two certain goals with beastly blocks.

    Raphael Varane 7 – Almost single-handedly led the defence. Block after block. Clearance after clearance and assured display.

    Nacho Fernandez 5 – Afforded Neymar more space than an empty car park and offered little as a attacking threat.

    Marcelo 8 – Thumped the badge on his heart in celebration after his goal – a fitting image after an all-action display.

    Casemiro 5 – Dropped so deep he was effectively a third centre-back but somehow still managed to leave Nacho exposed.

    Toni Kroos 6 – Earned the penalty by exaggerating the touch from Lo Celso. Not his usual Kroos control but his ball retention was solid.

    Luka Modric 6 – Horrendous dive in the second half and not nice to see from a player of his undoubted talent.

    Isco 5 – Turned, turned and turned before being caught in possession. Neglected the sensible option even when deep in his own half too many times.

    Karim Benzema 5 – Brought off for Bale in the second half to a piercing collective Bernabeu whistle. Sums up his impact.

    Cristiano Ronaldo 8 – Nerveless penalty of power and precision and his rapid reaction to adjust his body to knee the winner was supreme.

    SUBSTITUTES 

    Gareth Bale 7 – Changed the game alongside Asensio. His pace really stretched the ball and opened up the spaces for Ronaldo to attack.

    Lucas Vasquez 6 – Smart sub from Zidane as Real began to hit the channels instead of congested areas through the middle.

    Marco Asensio 8 – Inspired substitution. Used a marriage of pace and creativity to assist both Ronaldo and Marcelo.

    Recommended