PLAYER RATINGS | Real Madrid 3-1 PSG, PSG capitulate as Real Madrid snatch a quarter-final place
Real Madrid 3-1 PSG: Champions League 21/22, Last 16 Second Leg – 9/3/22
Gianluigi Donnarumma, 3 – Weathered the early moments of the game well and was alert to Real Madrid’s intense start. Made a good save in the first half but crucially gave the ball away in his own box in the second, which gifted Benzema his first goal on the night.
Achraf Hakimi, 4 – Looked worrying when faced with Vinicius Jr. in the PSG defensive third. Was beaten or lost possession a number of times.
Marquinhos, 2 – Had a shaky game, giving the ball away on at multiple occasions, most importantly to Benzema late in the second half for his third goal. Unable to calm his back four in the second half as Real Madrid grew back into the game.
Presnel Kimpembe, 4 – At times struggled to keep tabs on Benzema, who was open for a number of headed chances throughout the game.
Nuno Mendes, 5 – Played high when in possession, at times looked dangerous going forward and should have had an assist in the first half had he been able to hold his run slightly longer to avoid the offside flag. Could have gifted Real a second in the 20th minute, with a trailing leg sending the ball directly into Vinicus Jr’s path.
Leandro Paredes, 5
Danilo Pereira, 5
Marco Verratti, 7 – A typically tenacious performance from the Italian, with a number of strong tackles and crucial interventions to maintain control of possession.
Neymar, 6 – Some good linkup with both of his fellow forwards, particularly in playing Mbappé in behind the Madrid defence for his 39th minute goal with a first-touch through ball. Should have had a second assist in the second half, if Mbappé had been able to stay onside.
Lionel Messi, 5 – More involved than during the first leg, without any fundamental contribution. Found himself in good positions and progressed the ball forward well, but often unable to find enough space to generate a shot.
Kylian Mbappé, 8 – A confident and classically dangerous performance, setting the tone from the off with a number of threatening dribbles. After a couple of average shots on target and a disallowed goal, his goal came 5 minutes before the break, thanks to his blistering pace and tidy finishing. A potential second was ruled out for offside, despite a delightful dummy to fool Courtois.
Others: Gueye 5, Di Maria 5, Draxler 5