Real Madrid Player Ratings v Manchester City: Vinicius Junior eventually decisive

Real Madrid comfortably secured a dominant 5-1 aggregate win against Manchester City in the Champions League Round of 16, propelled by pivotal displays from stars like Vinicius Junior and Thibaut Courtois.

Thibaut Courtois – 8.5

Thibaut Courtois continues to demonstrate exceptional consistency and quality, making his impressive displays no less deserving of high praise. Before his withdrawal, he produced several vital saves in the first half, including two truly world-class efforts. His interventions at critical junctures were instrumental in maintaining Real Madrid's command of the game.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 4

Once again, Trent Alexander-Arnold's attacking contributions failed to compensate for his defensive vulnerabilities. Coach Alvaro Arbeloa's decision to have Fede Valverde and Thiago Pitarch provide defensive cover for him was justified, as Jeremy Doku frequently bypassed him with ease. He also bore responsibility for failing to clear Doku's cross, which led to City's goal.

Antonio Rudiger – 6

Real Madrid's defensive unit had a peculiar outing; despite conceding only once, they allowed numerous chances and were fortunate not to concede further. Antonio Rudiger's performance improved progressively throughout the match, though he did lose track of Erling Haaland on a few occasions.

Dean Huijsen – 7

Dean Huijsen demonstrated greater sharpness than his defensive partner. He was composed and effective in possession, successfully navigating Real Madrid out of several challenging situations. His growing confidence and form are becoming increasingly evident.

Fran Garcia – 7

Filling in for the injured Ferland Mendy and Alvaro Carreras, Fran Garcia delivered a largely positive performance. He made effective forward runs on a couple of occasions. Notably, Manchester City did not direct a significant portion of their attacks down his flank.

Federico Valverde – 6.5

Federico Valverde displayed a mix of brilliant and less impactful moments. His glaring miss in the opening minute, after executing the more difficult elements of the play, was particularly poor. Even the rebound he scored, which was subsequently disallowed for offside, originated from an initial poor attempt. Overall, his presence was more subdued in this fixture.

Thiago Pitarch – 6.5

Thiago Pitarch diligently carried out his duties in central midfield, proving vital in maintaining cohesion for Real Madrid. However, he was occasionally bypassed too easily by Doku and also committed a few turnovers in his own half.

Aurelien Tchouameni – 8

Aurelien Tchouameni initially lacked the necessary sharpness in the first 20 minutes to effectively close down City players on the edge of the box. Following this period, he settled into the formidable stalwart role he has developed under Arbeloa. He also contributed effectively in attack on a couple of occasions, notably delivering a delightful first-time cross for Vinicius's second goal.

Arda Guler – 7.5

Having provided a superb pass for Vinicius Junior to earn a penalty last week, Arda Guler once again proved instrumental in many of Real Madrid's most incisive attacking sequences. He was the focal point of Real Madrid's build-up play, consistently distributing the ball effectively to Brahim Diaz and Vinicius.

Brahim Diaz – 7.5

Brahim Diaz delivered a significantly improved performance. He fearlessly drove at the Manchester City defense whenever the opportunity arose, coming close to scoring a sensational goal after skillfully beating Ruben Dias. His influence waned somewhat before he was substituted with approximately 20 minutes remaining.

Vinicius Junior – 8.5

Despite some notably poor finishing, which was the sole factor preventing an even higher rating, Vinicius Junior was undoubtedly the outstanding player on the pitch and the catalyst for the game's decisive moments. He repeatedly bypassed his markers with ease, eventually securing his second goal in stoppage time by converting a penalty, which he himself had earned. This performance, aside from his finishing, represents Vinicius at his brilliant best.

Substitutes

Andriy Lunin – 7

Andriy Lunin entered the game at halftime, replacing the injured Courtois, appearing both sharp and assured. While his saves were largely routine, he notably demonstrated good judgment by coming off his line effectively to intercept a through ball.

Kylian Mbappe – 6.5

Kylian Mbappe missed a clear opportunity at the back post but later showcased his blistering pace by surging past Rayan Ait-Nouri from the halfway line. He might have been unlucky not to earn a foul after a perceived shirt pull, but this action, his most significant of the game, demonstrated his fitness.

Eduardo Camavinga – 6.5

Eduardo Camavinga replaced Guler for the final 15 minutes, delivering a clean and composed performance.

Manuel Angel – 6.5

Manuel Angel also came on for the last 15 minutes, mirroring Camavinga's faultless display. By this point, the game had largely lost its competitive edge.