Real Madrid seemed like they were out. After two improbable comebacks in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu in each of the last two rounds, it seemed like they finally went up against a team too good to complete a Remontada against.
Los Merengues had their fair share of chances but missed them. And it was Riyad Mahrez, the world-class Manchester City right winger, who finished his chance, giving City a 1-0 lead and 5-3 lead on aggregate. Carlo Ancelotti took out Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, which baffled fans. All hope seemed lost as the clock got closer to 90 minutes with City dominating the game.
But Ancelotti also brought in the super sub of all super subs. Mr. Champions League. The man who saved Real Madrid from defeat against Chelsea one round earlier.
It was Rodrygo who struck not once, but twice, for Real Madrid to tie the score at 5-5 on aggregate. And then in extra time, Real Madrid’s superstar Karim Benzema won the penalty, converted the penalty, and watched his team hang on to the 6-5 lead.
Los Blancos are through to the Champions League Final, having completed maybe the greatest comeback in the history of comebacks.
Here are the player ratings for Real Madrid from their 3-1 win over Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu.
GK Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois HAS to win the Lev Yashin. This performance at the Bernabeu sealed it. Rodrygo Goes is the main hero for his brace in the 90th and 91st minutes, but without Courtois’ saves and elite ball security, Real would have never been in a position to come back in the first place His toe-stop on Jack Grealish was a particular highlight.
Rating: 8.0
LB Ferland Mendy
Not everyone on Real Madrid was a standout, though. Ferland Mendy had a poor game, failing to trap the ball and only making backwards passes, as he once again failed to support Vinicius Jr. in a tough matchup. Kyle Walker dominated Vini in the first half before his injury slowed him down. Mendy made a lot of basic errors, but in fairness, he did recover to have a strong extra-time period, fulfilling his defensive duties. His goal-line clearance undid a lot of the wrongs earlier in the game and was a turning point for him.
Rating: 5.0
CB Nacho Fernandez
Nacho Fernandez played out of his mind defensively. Coming into this match, he was a potential weakness for Real Madrid with David Alaba out injured, as he has struggled in several matches this season, being too aggressive or too slow defensively.
He played a perfect game against Manchester City, making vital tackles and always making the right decision. He did not make clumsy mistakes or take unnecessary risks and seemed to reach a new level in the second half when Madrid needed him most. That is how you know he has Madridismo coursing through his veins. He had five clearances and four interceptions. Massive.
Rating: 8.0
CB Eder Militao
Madridistas knew Eder Militao needed to step up after a string of poor performances, including in the first leg at the Etihad. Militao was a bit clumsy to start things off, looking nervy on the ball – not unlike Ferland Mendy – and often taking too much time with his back towards goal.
But by the end of the match, he distinguished himself positively again, showing his usual great form this season with composed defending, smart passing, and plenty of fire for his team. Militao needed this.
Rating: 7.5
RB Dani Carvajal
To me, nobody stepped up more than Dani Carvajal. Not only was he poor in the first leg against Manchester City this season, but he struggled in 2020 when Los Blancos were knocked out by Pep Guardiola’s side in the Champions League Round of 16.
For all of his issues this season, Carvajal turned back the clock on May 4, producing a quality display on both ends of the pitch. He did not make any mistakes defensively in a difficult assignment and covered so much ground. It was a vintage display from the right back, who produced three key passes to tie Vinicius Jr. for the team lead.
Rating: 8.5
CM Toni Kroos
After struggling in the first leg against Manchester City and not showing his best level in the quarterfinals vs. Chelsea, Toni Kroos quieted the haters with a classy display against Manchester City in the second leg.
Kroos was not necessarily dominant, but he did not need to be. He did so much off the ball and in terms of circulating play so that Real were never controlled by Guardiola’s men. The No. 8 completed a touch over 90 percent of his passes before being subbed off.
Rating: 7.0
DM Casemiro
Real Madrid fans knew Casemiro’s return would be huge in turning the tide of this tie, and the Brazilian defensive midfielder was indeed absolutely vital.
Casemiro made so many game-saving tackles and interventions, walking the fine line of bookings with Daniele Orsato like the wily veteran he is. The No. 6 was much, much more composed on the ball than in previous games, completing nearly 90 percent of his passes and avoiding being the weak link against City. He even made some nifty dribbles in tight spaces.
Rating: 7.5
CM Luka Modric
It was a surprise to see Luka Modric taken out early, along with the rest of KCM, but he was also fantastic. Just like in the first leg, Modric was unplayable at times, blowing by defenders and pulling the strings in midfield for Los Blancos. Modric is still one of the absolute best midfielders in the world, and this performance was another example of that. In the first half, he was a big reason why Real were outplaying City and creating more chances.
Rating: 8.0
CM Eduardo Camavinga
One of the two Man of the Match candidates for Real Madrid, Eduardo Camavinga showed that Los Blancos can already compete at the highest level without KCM. Camavinga was signed for just 30 million euros this past summer, and his signing already seems like an even bigger steal than it was at the time.
Real Madrid would not have won this game without Camavinga, just as was the case against Chelsea in the second leg. Camavinga was dominant in the extra time period, showing more composure and energy than everyone else. He is only 19, but he plays like someone who has been world-class at the Bernabeu for a decade. His ball-carrying and ball-winning were supremely good.
Rating: 9.0
LW Vinicius Jr.
Although Vinicius Jr. missed easy chances and easy passes, the left winger did so much good on the ball in terms of creating those chances in the first place despite not having an easy assignment. And with Fede Valverde having to play so defensively, Vini faced a lot of attention from Manchester City’s world-class back line – not just Kyle Walker. Ferland Mendy’s attacking issues did not help Vini either.
Nobody created more chances than Vinicius, who won a team-high four fouls. We have seen better from him, yes, but if this is Vini Jr. at his worst in the Champions League as a finisher, then I will still take it.
Rating: 7.0
CF Karim Benzema
Like Vinicius Jr., Karim Benzema did not have his best game in front of goal, and he was honestly much less involved than the younger forward. However, Karim stood out when it mattered most, stepping up to the plate and cooly converting the penalty he won, using a different technique to the Panenka in the first leg or the previous misses that goalkeepers figured out. And Karim also had an assist in the comeback.
Two clutch goal contributions? Not bad for an off day. Not bad at all.
Rating: 7.0
RW Fede Valverde
With a team-high five tackles, Fede Valverde was EVERYWHERE on the pitch for Real Madrid, and he also had a role in a couple of chances created. By the end of the match, he was back in midfield, holding down the fort with fellow world-class youngster Eduardo Camavinga. Valverde’s energy and defensive work have been decisive so often for Real Madrid in the Champions League, and this was the case again vs. Manchester City. Like with Luka Modric, Fede was KEY to Real not getting overrun by the Cityzens early.
Rating: 7.5
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RW Rodrygo Goes
Man of the Match. This is as good as it gets in the Champions League. Coming off the bench, scoring twice, making ingenious movements off the ball, and finishing like a striker as a right winger.
Beyond those two clutch goals to save Real at the death, Rodrygo was influential in the extra time, as well, working hard to track back and defend (two tackles and two interceptions!) with Real desperate to hold on at 6-5. He made the pass to Karim that set up the penalty, had a great dribble at the end to draw a yellow and waste time, and was a constant threat to City tactically and technically. He is a star.
Rating: 9.5