Real Madrid Player Ratings vs. Sevilla as Vinicius Junior saves the day once more

Real Madrid were thoroughly outplayed in the first half, yet they were all square 1-1 thanks to a big stop from Thibaut Courtois and a bit of heads-up poaching from star striker Karim Benzema. Sevilla could have easily been ahead, but Real were doing just enough to hang on. And in the end, that’s all they needed to do in the second half, because their savior was coming.

Vinicius Junior scored what will go down as one of the most memorable goals of the 2021-2022 La Liga season, taking the ball off his chest, cutting inside, and smashing a shot that was too hot for Bono to handle.

Here are the player ratings from Real Madrid’s 2-1 triumph over Sevilla, one of the other title contenders in the league.

GK Thibaut Courtois

The headlines will deservingly go to Vinicius Junior, but nobody should be leaving out the heroics of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Time and time again, Courtois has made big saves at the end of matches, and he was there to save the day once more vs. Sevilla. Earlier in the match, he had an even bigger stop to deny the ever-threatening Rafa Mir his brace. There is not a keeper you’d rather have – nor one more clutch – than Courtois.

Rating: 8.0

LB Ferland Mendy

Ferland Mendy surprisingly led the team with six dribbles completed and was an important source of ball-carrying for Real Madrid. In truth, Mendy did not have the impact he should have due to a poor final ball, but he had another solid performance on the strength of his ball-carrying and defending. You know, the two areas in which he usually contributes positively to Real.

Rating: 7.0

CB David Alaba

David Alaba threatened with two shots from out of nowhere, with his second attempt being the closest. It was a volley from a set piece, and it was hit with wonderful technique off the inside of his trusty left foot, just skimming the roof of the net. Defensively, Alaba was Real’s top performer, clearing one shot off the line.

Rating: 7.5

CB Eder Militao

While Eder Militao had a couple of nice interventions and finished the match with a team-high three interceptions, three key passes, and seven clearances, he also had a few shaky moments defensively. Militao’s long passes lacked accuracy, and he may have been the one who left Rafa Mir unmarked for Sevilla’s goal. Still, defenders are too often judged by their mistakes. Militao’s hard shot from long range led to Benzema’s opener, and his clean-up defending was good, especially in the second half.

Rating: 7.0

RB Dani Carvajal

Dani Carvajal played well in the opposition half, but he was atrocious in his own half. The Spanish international made a number of errors, particularly on the ball. If it weren’t for Thibaut Courtois, Carvajal may have cost Los Blancos the match in the first half. After three tremendous performances at right back, Carvajal was clearly not at his best on Sunday. His cynical yellow card on Marcos Acuna summed up his day.

Rating: 3.5