Sevilla were once title contenders to Real Madrid, and if the Andalusians were able to get the win at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Sunday night, there were some wondering if they could make an unlikely push for the LaLiga title.
After two quick goals in the first half due to two bizarre mistakes from the normally-great Eder Militao, Sevilla fans believed. But Real Madrid are not the comeback kings for nothing. After saving their Champions League hopes with a comeback in response to Chelsea’s comeback at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real followed up that grueling match with three second-half goals.
Unlike last year, they did not fall short the second time playing against Sevilla, despite Vinicius Jr.’s goal being unfairly chalked off for offsides in one of the worst calls of the season – if not THE worst. Instead of sharing the spoils 2-2, they won 2-3 at the Sanchez Pizjuan.
Here are the player ratings from Real Madrid’s heartwarming comeback victory.
GK Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois could do nothing about the goals he surrendered and commanded his box well.
Rating: 6.0
LB Dani Carvajal
With Ferland Mendy injured, Dani Carvajal was the surprise starter at left back, playing an inverted role. He struggled in the first half, as you would expect in a different role. But by the second half, he was a standout, recording the assists that tied the game at 2-2 and playing solid defense. In this inverted role, he made a lot of passes, completing 92 percent of his 75 attempts.
Rating: 8.0
CB David Alaba
Brilliant performance from David Alaba. Whereas his center back partner Eder Militao struggled with mistakes, David Alaba had no such issues. He was at his astute best in his reading of the game and when making challenges, stopping Rafa Mir counters before they could even develop. Alaba was great on the ball as well, always making himself available and even looking to break the lines with his passing. A necessary, composed display from the leader of the defense.
Rating: 8.0
CB Eder Militao
I have the utmost respect for Eder Militao, because he bounced back from two terrible errors in the first half – and technically three, though Eduardo Camavinga was fortunately not sent off – to play a solid game at center back in the second half. He even had the confidence to test the underrated – and now world-class, if we are being honest – Bono from range. Still, the mistakes mean I have to give him a low rating.
Rating: 4.0
RB Lucas Vazquez
Lucas Vazquez was subbed off in the second half for Nacho, but that was simply a sacrifice on Carlo Ancelotti’s part as he knew Nacho would immediately score.
As for Vazquez, he played very well. The Galician wide man won six tackles and two interceptions with three fouls drawn, in addition to completing 91.2 percent of his passes.
Rating: 7.0
CM Eduardo Camavinga
This was supposed to be a big game for Eduardo Camavinga, but it only lasted one half. Camavinga received one yellow card for, once again, being over-eager to go for a challenge when he should have held up. But he was very lucky not to receive a second in transition, having made a foul on Anthony Martial that was forced onto him by a third error from Eder Militao.
Camavinga did not play poorly, but these fouls meant that Carlo Ancelotti could not trust him to play a game without getting sent off.
Rating: 5.0
CM Toni Kroos
Masterful. Toni Kroos struggled a bit in the first half, as Real Madrid could not control the game and were suffering wave after wave of Sevilla attack at the Sanchez Pizjuan. But Kroos proved vital to the comeback in the second half as the man with the cool hand, never making a mistake and always finding the right pass on the ball. He was the deep playmaker, the man circulating the ball, and the one bringing everyone else into the game.
Kroos’ control of Joan Jordan and the underrated Sevilla midfield was crucial to Real Madrid’s comeback. Just as with Rodrygo Goes, Real would not have won this game without Kroos’ work in the second half.
Rating: 8.5
CM Luka Modric
Bizarrely subbed for Marco Asensio in the second half, Luka Modric wasn’t at his brilliant best, but he recovered after some rough moments in the first half to play a strong game as a whole. The Croatian magician made a few great passes, got out of tight corners, and kept the ball moving for his team in a typical display, albeit with some sloppy passing and less active defensive work. Modric finished with two key passes and a few applause-worthy moments of class.
Rating: 7.0
RW/CM Fede Valverde
Fede Valverde played an underrated role in the victory, doing a lot of the dirty work for Real Madrid, as he usually does. The young Uruguayan had two key passes and two tackles, highlighting his ability to make an impact in various ways. He wasn’t as influential as in some recent games, such as in the Champions League, but he made his mark positively.
Rating: 7.0
LW Vinicius Jr.
Although Vinicius Jr. struggled in the first half, we all knew the Brazilian would be key to a winning effort in the second 45. He was robbed of a goal that 100 percent should have counted, but he did make an impact earlier, combining with Carvajal for a delightful way to set up Rodrygo Goes’ initial goal to give Real Madrid hope.
All told, Vini wasn’t great, but he was solid, having bounced back in the second half to help the team win 3-2 in the end.
Rating: 7.0
CF Karim Benzema
You just knew Karim Benzema was going to score today. It was inevitable. He came so close multiple times in the second half after receiving no service in the first. And it was in stoppage time when he found the breakthrough, receiving Rodrygo’s pass, taking his time, and finishing without any mistake. Benzema is the best player in LaLiga right now. More than that. He is the best player in the world. And as usual, he provided the margin for Real Madrid that was the difference.
Rating: 7.0
RW Rodrygo Goes
The Man of the Match, officially and from the Madridistas. Rodrygo Goes entered the match at half-time for Eduardo Camavinga, and he immediately changed the game, scoring with a No. 9’s finish to give Real Madrid its first step toward a comeback.
He did not stop there. Rodrygo kept on threatening and creating, making great decisions that were incisive while still being safe. And in the end, he also made the difference on the winning play of the match, getting to the end line on a dribble and setting up Karim Benzema for a goal that, from the future Ballon d’Or winner’s perspective, was basically textbook.
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Real Madrid would not have won without what Rodrygo did off the bench, and it is wonderful seeing all the support Madrid fans have for the young winger, who has fought hard to regain his place this season.
Rating: 9.0