UEFA Champions League 2017/18; Real Madrid 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur: Player Ratings
In a brilliant result for English football, Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in the UEFA Champions League, at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. A much-hyped clash between the two in-form sides turned out to be exactly as predicted, with both sides creating ample chances, but at the end, honours had to be shared.
Also read: Real Madrid vs Tottenham, 5 Talking Points
Spurs opened the scoring, courtesy of a Raphael Varane own goal, with the defender failing to clear his lines from a Serge Aurier cross. Madrid levelled through Cristiano Ronaldo (Who else!) as the hosts received a penalty two minutes before the break.
The second half saw Real Madrid dominate, but the best chances fell to Spurs' attackers. Without any further ado, let's take a closer look at how each player fared in the 1-1 draw between Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur:
Real Madrid
Keylor Navas: 6.5/10
The custodian had no chance to save the own goal but made a couple of brilliant saves to earn his side a point. Navas' one on one save against Harry Kane was his best of the night.
Achraf Hakimi: 6.5/10
The young fullback had his hands full in defence with Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen attacking with aplomb from his flank. But going forward, Achraf was sensational with a couple of his crosses testing the Spurs backline.
Sergio Ramos: 6/10
It was an imposing performance from the Real Madrid captain, who never let the occasion get the better of him. However, during some of Spurs' counter attacks, Ramos looked out of position and under pressure dealing with those attacks.
Raphael Varane: 5/10
The centre-back scored an unfortunate own goal but it was a result of him being dominated by Harry Kane for the majority of the match. He was quick to react to situations and was strong in his tackles, otherwise.
Marcelo: 5/10
The Brazilian looked second best in front of Serge Aurier in the first half and was badly out of position for the Spurs goal. He was pinned back for most of the time and could not help out his team going forward.
Casemiro: 5.5/10
The defensive midfielder had too many bodies to handle in the first half as Real Madrid struggled against the Spurs counter attacks in the first half. He was also lucky not to give away a penalty with a rash challenge in the box against Llorente.
Toni Kroos: 7/10
The German was calm in possession and made a great run into the box to draw a foul and win a penalty for his side.
Luka Modric: 8/10
The little genius was the best midfielder on the field. He set the tempo for Real Madrid and looked unstoppable at times. He also delivered some stunning passes and showed great work ethic. Modric also made three tackles in the game.
Isco: 7.5/10
The Spaniard looked assured with a ball at his feet with the Bernabeu faithful singing his name on numerous occasions. Isco tested Lloris twice but could not get the better of him. Also, the playmaker took set pieces after Toni Kroos fluffed his deliveries on more than one occasion.
Cristiano Ronaldo: 7/10
Ronaldo was marked heavily by the Spurs defence and looked frustrated at times. He struck the post once from a glancing header but scored his penalty with his usual swagger. The Portuguese also earned an unnecessary booking in the first half, but looked sharp for the entirety of the match.
Karim Benzema: 5.5/10
The striker's link-up play was as usual at its best but Benzema failed to do the first and foremost job that a striker has to do - convert chances. The Frenchman had two glorious chances to win the game for Real Madrid but he missed them both; both of those chances being absolute sitters.
Substitutions:
Marco Asensio: 5/10
Replacing Benzema, Marco Asensio offered little to the Madrid side and proved Zidane's decision right to start the game with Isco.
Lucas Vazquez: 6/10
Brought on to man-mark Danny Rose, Vazquez did his job well in the few minutes that he was on the field.