Real Madrid 3-1 PSG: Player Ratings from a legendary Karim Benzema performance

Real Madrid took their lumps in the first half, and they honestly seemed out of it when they went down 1-0 due to another Kylian Mbappe goal, putting them behind 2-0 on aggregate.

But this team, so known for their Champions League nights and Remontadas. After Carlo Ancelotti rectified his mistake of not starting Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo Goes, the two young players helped change the game.

The real hero was Karim Benzema, who scored a hat trick to entrench his legacy as one of the greatest players in the history of the Champions League. Those goals boosted Real to a 3-2 advantage on aggregate, and they are now through to the quarterfinals of the competition.

Here are the player ratings from Real Madrid’s all-time great comeback over PSG.

GK Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut Courtois was, in truth, outsmarted by Kylian Mbappe on the goal, meaning Mbappe is the only player who can outsmart the great Belgian keeper. David Alaba did well to cut off the swerving shot, so Courtois should have been more alert at the near post.

But can I blame him for that goal? No. Instead, I will praise him for the other stops he made. Courtois continues to be an important asset to this team.

Rating: 7.0

LB Nacho Fernandez

With Ferland Mendy suspended, Nacho Fernandez started at left back to keep David Alaba in a central role. It worked out well, as Nacho was never threatened defensively and could simply watch as Vinicius worked hard as hell to carry the attack on the left-hand side. I mean, it’s not like Mendy is such a great attacking option either…

With two tackles and three interceptions, this was another solid game from Nacho, who is a beloved Madridista.

Rating: 7.0

CB David Alaba

World-class once again from David Alaba. The Real Madrid summer signing is an absolute dream, and fans cannot get enough of his heroics in central defense. He is always one of the smartest players on the pitch and kept things organized against a PSG side that looked to make dangerous counters with Mbappe and others. Alaba had to be at his best in reading the game, and he was. An underrated, elite performance at the back.

Rating: 8.5

CB Eder Militao

Eder Militao had three tackles and three interceptions as the more active of the two center backs, putting in another strong, competent display at the heart of the Madrid defense. The 24-year-old never looks out of place on the big stage of the Champions League, and this is the second straight match in which he has delivered the goods for his team. He made some goal-saving interventions. Anyone who disputes his status as world-class is not paying close enough attention.

Rating: 8.5

RB Dani Carvajal

The only defensive player on Real Madrid to receive poor marks, but, in truth, he was held back by Marco Asensio’s lazy defending. Dani Carvajal had to do the work of two players as far as providing width on offense and compactness on defense against Mbappe. So it is no wonder why he was caught out badly for PSG’s lone goal. He played poorly with his own crossing and passing and deserves low marks, but I am holding off on bashing him. Asensio screwed him over again.

Rating: 4.5