Real Madrid player ratings v Manchester City: Vinicius Junior eventually decisive | OneFootball

Real Madrid eased past Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate in the Champions League last 16, with Vinicius Junior and Thibaut Courtois to the fore. According to Football Espana, Vinicius was ultimately decisive.

Federico Valverde squandered a big chance inside the first minute, then Courtois produced several first-half stops before going off injured at the break. Antonio Rudiger was shaky early and lost Erling Haaland at times, while Dean Huijsen read danger well and used the ball calmly.

Fran Garcia impressed on the left and City rarely targeted his flank. On the right, Trent Alexander-Arnold endured a torrid night as Jeremy Doku repeatedly beat him, and he failed to clear the cross for City’s goal. Thiago Pitarch worked diligently yet was occasionally dispossessed, and Aurelien Tchouameni recovered from a slow start to take control, supplying a superb first-time cross for a Vinicius finish.

Arda Guler knitted attacks together, regularly finding Brahim Diaz and Vinicius. Brahim threatened with a slaloming run that left Ruben Dias on the turf, then faded before being replaced with 20 minutes left. Vinicius was electric despite errant finishing, scoring from Tchouameni’s delivery then winning and converting a stoppage-time penalty for his second.

Andriy Lunin replaced Courtois at half-time, his saves were routine but he swept up decisively once. Kylian Mbappe missed a presentable back-post chance then scorched past Rayan Ait-Nouri amid a shirt pull. Eduardo Camavinga and Manuel Angel were tidy late on, and Dani Carvajal arrived for the final six minutes.

Source: Football Espana