Real Madrid superstar midfielder Jude Bellingham was, once again, out with suspension, and there were worries that without the England international available against Atletico Madrid in the first leg, Real were at risk of getting off to a very wrong start against their crosstown rivals in the Champions League Round of 16.
After all, Bellingham had missed the LaLiga match against Real Betis this past Saturday, and Real Madrid, also playing without Dani Ceballos and Fede Valverde due to injury, were humbled badly in a 2-1 loss that felt more lopsided than it was.
Bellingham was sorely missed, as the likes of Brahim Diaz, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eduardo Camavinga failed to step up and were thoroughly dominated by an Isco-led Betis midfield. Atleti presented a more difficult challenge, and with Fede likely slotting in at right back, Real needed one of their less consistent performers to step up.
Brahim Diaz did more than just score the winning goal
And they did. After delivering one of several disappointing performances this past weekend at the Benito Villamarin, Brahim Diaz became a titan at the Bernabeu in the Champions League knockouts again, delivering another clutch performance.
Not only did Brahim score the decisive goal to lift Real Madrid to a vital 2-1 victory in the first leg, but the Moroccan international was also absolutely brilliant on both ends of the pitch in an all-around performance that was a massive upgrade from the way he was run off the pitch and tortured defensively by the Verdiblancos at the weekend.
Brahim led all of his Real Madrid teammates, including the defenders and the No. 6, with three tackles and four interceptions on Tuesday night. He was active on the ball at drawing fouls and progressing play, too, offering more to the Royal White cause than "just" the goal, which was obviously a very important goal in its own right.
What mattered the most about Brahim's display is how he shed the tag of being an opportunistic forward who picks out his moments to score and assist to being a hard-nosed, derby player who was willing to work harder than the industrious Atletico Madrid midfielders and mix it up with players bigger than him in order to keep the play alive for his team or to win back possession in dangerous areas. Honestly, if his attacking teammates Vincius Junior and Kylian Mbappe were closer to their usual level, Brahim would have likely earned at least one assist on this day, too.
As it stands, Brahim was exceptional. He did so much hard work defensively and in transition, filling in the gaping void left by Bellingham with aplomb. Brahim outdid himself against the Rojiblancos, and Real Madrid fans have to be incredibly grateful to Brahim for stepping up to such a Herculean task that, on the back of his poor display at the Villamarin, many would have been well within their rights to doubt he was capable of fulfilling.