Holders Real Madrid bounded into the UEFA Champions League’s quarter-finals as goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro secured a 2-1 win and 5-2 aggregate triumph at 10-man Paris Saint-Germain.
Against opponents missing injured Brazil superstar Neymar, Ronaldo powered home a 51st-minute header to move Los Blancos close to progression. Italy centre midfielder Marco Verratti was then dismissed for two bookings for PSG, who soon after got a goal back through Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani’s lucky goal.
But another deflected effort, this time at other end, through Casemiro made the tie safe for the 12-time European kings.
The hosts at Parc des Princes had needed to score at least twice to advance at kick-off, but they meekly went out to Spanish opposition for the second-consecutive year.
Here are our Real Madrid player ratings:
REAL MADRID
Keylor Navas – 6: Didn’t have a great deal to do, despite urgency for PSG to score plenty.
Dani Carvajal – 7: Utterly dominated former team-mate Di Maria. Led the way with seven tackles for his side.
Raphael Varane – 7: Playing on French soil suited the Les Bleus star. His five clearances was best for Madrid.
Sergio Ramos – 7: Denied Cavani any breathing space at centre forward and drifted across to keep Kylian Mbappe quiet.
Marcelo – 7: Was a constant outlet charging up from left-back. Tally of four key passes tells its own story.
Lucas Vazquez – 7: Madrid are getting the benefit for his regular run of games. Beautiful cross teed up Ronaldo.
Casemiro – 7: Made one great block on Cavani and helped Madrid win midfield battle. Sheepishly celebrated deflected goal.
Mateo Kovacic – 6: Walked a disciplinary tight rope and was lucky to receive clemency. Substitution was essential.
Marco Asensio – 8: Skill shown with nutmegged reverse pass for Ronaldo’s goal was worth price of admission alone.
Karim Benzema – 5: Even in victory, looks so far short. Missed a glaring one-on-one and embarrassingly stumbled over ball.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 7: This generation’s great big-game player struck again. Has scored in nine-consecutive Champions League matches.
8 - Real Madrid have reached the Champions League quarter-final stage for the 8th successive season – only Barcelona (10) have recorded a longer run in the competition’s history. Giants.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 6, 2018
SUBS
Toni Kroos – 6: Provided the usual amount of control when introduced in midfield.
Gareth Bale – N/A: Enjoyed himself in the spaces left in the Parc des Princes. Fired in one shot.
Isco – N/A: Had less than 10 minutes to impress. Has fallen down pecking order.
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates Real Madrid’s second goal.
