RANKED: 7 best players from Champions League last 16 first legs | OneFootball

Europe's big boys returned to continental action this week as all eight Champions League last 16 first legs were staged.

Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa were the English sides making arduous trips beyond the shores of old Blighty, with the trio returning home victorious ahead of next week's second legs on home soil.

The fun didn't stop there, however, with the Madrid derby at the Santiago Bernabeu, the battle of Bundesliga giants and challenging expeditions for Barcelona and Inter.

Here are the seven players who shone brightest - ranked.

7. Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain)

Vitinha kept PSG ticking / Jean Catuffe/GettyImages

Paris Saint-Germain were dealt a sickening blow in the 87th minute of Wednesday's duel with Liverpool, Harvey Elliott denting their quarter-final aspirations with a late winner completely against the run of play. PSG had been utterly dominant throughout a one-sided affair, suffocating Liverpool for large periods with their expert use of possession. Instrumental to setting the tempo was Vitinha in the centre of the park, the Portuguese at the heart of things for the unfortunate hosts. He enjoyed 32 more touches than any other player on the pitch, completed 96% of his 114 attempted passes and even created three chances from a deep-lying position - only Achraf Hakimi able to better the latter.

6. Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)

Ethan Nwaneri produced another excellent performance / Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/GettyImages

Having blanked in back-to-back games, Arsenal ran riot against PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday night. Their 7-1 thrashing of Peter Bosz's sorry side was a reminder of the attacking talent still at their disposal despite widespread injuries in the forward department. Ethan Nwaneri was one of those who starred in a commanding victory, once again living up to his wonderkid tag. The precocious 17-year-old produced a typically effortless display as he continues to astound, firing an emphatic finish beyond Walter Benitez as Arsenal netted their second of the match. He managed the joint most touches in the opposition penalty area in Eindhoven as well as registering more shots and efforts on target than any other players. It was another hugely encouraging showing from the academy graduate.

5. Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid)

Brahim Diaz was the match-winner for Real Madrid / Diego Souto/GettyImages

Real Madrid's 2-1 victory over neighbours Atletico Madrid was an encounter of glorious goals. Rodrygo started things off just four minutes in with a stunning strike on his 'weaker' foot, before Julian Alvarez produced the pick of the bunch to equalise in the first half. But it was Brahim Diaz who secured the all-important third and final goal of the match, downing Jose Gimenez with a body feint before curling expertly into the far corner. The Morocco international, who was filling in for Jude Bellingham, has proven a handy and able deputy this season and his energy and agility proved key in Madrid's eventual triumph.

4. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

Bayern Munich were comfortable victors against Bayer Leverkusen / Christina Pahnke - sampics/GettyImages

Harry Kane has often been criticised for failing to show up on the big occasions, but that couldn't be levelled at him after Bayern Munich's emphatic 3-0 victory over reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday. Die Werkself had dominated the goalless league draw between the sides several weeks ago but it was Bayern who were rampant on this occasion, largely courtesy of their English sharpshooter up top. Kane rose above Nordi Mukiele early in proceedings to power Die Roten ahead with an excellent header, before winning and converting a penalty in the second half to put one Bayern foot firmly in the quarter-finals.

3. Wojciech Szczesny (Barcelona)

Wojciech Szczesny was kept busy in Lisbon / Soccrates Images/GettyImages

Wojciech Szczesny made a horrific start to life at Barcelona having been hastily signed to replace the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The Pole's last trip to Benfica was disastrous as he gifted the Lisbon side two goals in a manic 5-4 clash during the league phase. But Szczesny has grown more assured with each passing week and rose to the occasion on Wednesday as ten-man Barcelona secured a narrow 1-0 win over Benfica. Pau Cubarsi's early dismissal had made life difficult for the Catalan giants, with Raphinha's goal and Szczesny's brilliance ensuring they returned home with a narrow advantage. The 34-year-old was the player of the match at the Estadio da Luz after making eight saves, 13 recoveries and preventing 1.18 goals.

2. Alisson (Liverpool)

Alisson was impenetrable in Paris / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages

Speaking of inspired goalkeeper performances, enter Alisson. The Brazilian described his exceptional display during Liverpool's win over PSG as the "performance of my life" and it's difficult to argue against that. PSG battered Liverpool throughout Wednesday's affair but Alisson was not to be beaten. The 32-year-old made nine saves - several of which were simply astonishing fingertip lunges - and prevented 2.26 goals as the Reds somehow shut their hosts out. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue all saw efforts expertly rebuffed by the sprawling South American, who single-handedly kept Liverpool from suffering a catastrophic and hefty defeat. He was unsurprisingly named player of the match following another dazzling display guarding the Liverpool net.

1. Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)

Martin Odegaard starred in Arsenal's rout / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

Martin Odegaard has been accused of hiding amid Arsenal's debilitating injury crisis and the skipper had gone four games without a goal or assist as the wheels came off the Gunners' Premier League title bid. But Odegaard proved his worth on Wednesday as he dismantled an admittedly abject PSV rearguard. Odegaard scored twice and assisted as Arsenal ran up the score and put the tie beyond doubt, potentially even earning himself a rest for next week's return leg. He was undeniably the Gunners' standout performer, floating across the turf in characteristically graceful fashion. If Arsenal are to secure silverware this season, then the Champions League is their best bet. For that, they need more such exceptional performances from Odegaard.