CM Toni Kroos
The official Man of the Match of El Clasico, Toni Kroos scored a free-kick goal, thanks to Sergino Dest’s backside providing a friendly deflection for the midfield maestro. When Kroos left the pitch in the second half, Real’s control of the match dissipated, but Real, nonetheless, held on, meaning Liverpool will have to face a fresh Kroos again. That’s a recipe for disaster for the Reds, given what Kroos did to them in the first leg.
It was a more subdued performance from Kroos against Barcelona, but the German midfielder was still very good. He led the team with a 93.3 percent pass completion percentage, according to WhoScored.com.
CF Karim Benzema
Another Real Madrid legend who had a great game on Saturday night. Karim Benzema did not score against Liverpool, despite being a top performer against the Reds in his own right, but he made it eight in nine games by scoring the opener in El Clasico. That goal broke his streak of nine matches without a goal in the world’s marquee head-to-head matchup, whereas Lionel Messi could not break his own streak.
And Benzema’s goal was a thing of beauty. Fede Valverde did so well to dribble it up the pitch, Lucas Vazquez delivered his low cross perfectly, and Benzema flicked the ball with the back of his heel with such grace and precision that I cannot help but watch the goal over and over again. Benzema brings a different class to the Clasico at the striker position.