Real Madrid 3-1 Stuttgart: Los Blancos' Player Ratings as Mbappe and Endrick score in a hard-fought win | UEFA Champions League 2024-25
Real Madrid dug deep and secured a 3-1 win against VfB Stuttgart in their UEFA Champions League opener in Round 1 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Tuesday, September 17.
Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti entered this contest with two key defensive players missing as Eduardo Camavinga and David Alaba were sidelined with injuries. However, Eder Militao's return to fitness meant he made the substitutes list as the Italian fielded a strong starting XI.
The first half was a fairly balanced affair with Stuttgart giving Real Madrid a tough time in phases, with the hosts returning the favour as well. The visitors had the best chance of the half though, as Deniz Undav's attempt hit the woodwork and bounced out. Real did seem to have an opportunity to score but a penalty they were awarded in the 35th minute was canceled upon VAR review.
The teams went into the break tied at 0-0.
Real Madrid made an electric start to the second half and found themselves on the offensive immediately after the restart. Rodrygo drove down the right flank with the ball and squared it to Kylian Mbappe, who tapped-in to make it 1-0 in the 46th minute. Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeneß then made two changes as he looked to turn the tide.
Shortly after in the 68th minute, Jamie Leweling played a delicate cross towards Deniz Undav, who nodded home the equalizer for Stuttgart. Both managers made multiple changes after that goal as they looked to nick a win towards the end. However, Luka Modric had the last laugh as he delivered a pin-point corner for Antonio Rudiger to score from to make it 2-1 in the 83rd minute.
Real Madrid were not done, though, as they broke forward from a pass by Daniel Carvajal to Endrick in the dying embers. Despite having two options to pass, the young Brazilian drove forward himself and scored to make it 3-1 and put the game to bed in the 95th minute.
On that note, let's take a look at Los Blancos' player ratings.
Real Madrid Player Ratings
Thibaut Courtois - 8/10
Courtois had a brilliant game as he made six saves, with three of those coming off shots taken from inside the box.
Lucas Vazquez - 6.5/10
Vazquez won just one duel and made two interceptions in a decent display. He also received the game's first booking in the 23rd minute.
Daniel Carvajal - 7.5/10
Real Madrid's captain for this game, Carvajal won three duels, making two interceptions and one clearance. He also provided the assist for Endrick's late goal.
Antonio Rudiger - 8/10
Rudiger had a great game as well as he won all four of his duels, making six clearances and one interception. He also headed in the goal that almost guaranteed the win for Real.
Ferland Mendy - 6.5/10
Mendy won three duels and made one clearance. He also played two key passes.
Federico Valverde - 6.5/10
Valverde was strangely subdued in this game and also picked up a booking. He won just one duel and played one key pass.
Aurelien Tchouameni - 7/10
Tchouameni passed the ball with 87% accuracy and also attempted four shots, of which just one was on target. He also made two interceptions.
Jude Bellingham - 7/10
Playing in a slightly deeper role since Mbappe's arrival, Bellingham passed the ball with 93% accuracy and played two key passes. He also won five duels.
Rodrygo - 8/10
Rodrygo was highly active in the final third as he attempted three shots but they were all blocked. However, he completed all four of his dribbles and also played three key passes. Rodrygo also won five duels and provided an assist for the opening goal.
Kylian Mbappe - 8/10
Mbappe played the entire 90 minutes but was a tad disappointing in front of goal. He created several chances and attempted seven shots, scoring just one goal. He also completed one dribble and won two duels.
Vinicius Junior - 6.5/10
Another disappointing performer for Real Madrid was Vinicius Junior, who hit the woodwork once and also saw a shot saved. He won six duels and played three key passes.
Substitutes
Eder Militao - 6.5/10
Militao came on for the second half and made two clearances and two interceptions as he helped Real Madrid secure the win.
Luka Modric - 7/10
Despite being under pressure, Modric kept his cool and delivered the perfect corner for Rudiger to score from in the 83rd minute.
Arda Guler - 6.5/10
Guler came on in the second half but was unable to make the desired impact.
Fran Garcia - 6.5/10
Garcia replaced Mendy for the final 15 minutes of the game and put in a decent display.
Endrick - 8/10
He came on with 10 minutes to go and scored in the dying embers to become Real Madrid's youngest-ever Champions League scorer (18y). He also played one key pass and won one duel.