Player Ratings as Chelsea beat Real Madrid 2-0 (3-1 on aggregate) on Wednesday night to qualify for the finals of the UEFA Champions League.
With the first leg in Spain ending in a 1-1 draw, Chelsea had the away goal advantage heading into Wednesday’s game, leaving Real Madrid to chase the game. And while the La Liga giants dominated possession, it was the Blues who looked a bigger threat going forward on the counter. Timo Werner had a goal chalked off for offside while Karim Benzema drew a stunning save from Edouard Mendy at the other end in the early exchanges.
Chelsea broke through in the 28th minute when Werner nodded home into an empty goal after Kai Havertz’s initial effort had bounced off the woodwork. Benzema drew another save from Mendy as half-time arrived with the Blues in the driving seat. The second half followed pretty much a similar pattern, with Chelsea threatening on the break.
Havertz and Mason Mount both missed gilt-edged chances while N’Golo Kante was also denied by a fine block while Real Madrid hardly conjured up a chance. Finally, Mount was able to put the game to bed in the 86th minute after some fine work from Kante and substitute Christian Pulisic, sending Chelsea through to the finals of the Champions League.
Thomas Tuchel’s side will now face Premier League rivals Manchester City in the showpiece event in Istanbul following the Cityzens’ win over PSG on Tuesday. Here are our player ratings for both Chelsea and Real Madrid stars after a stunning encounter at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea
Edouard Mendy: 8.5/10
Made a couple of straightforward stops to deny Luka Modric and Toni Kroos’ long-range efforts before denying Benzema with two brilliant saves before the first half. Not tested a great deal after the break, with the defence managing to keep Real Madrid away from the goal.
Edouard Mendy has set a new record for the most clean sheets kept for an English club in a single Champions League campaign:
? 11 games
? 8 clean sheets
? 8 wins
? 3 goals conceded
? 1 defeatMaking history in his debut season. #UCL pic.twitter.com/XjcHKEMwbG
— William Hill (@WilliamHill) May 5, 2021
Andreas Christensen: 7.5/10
Put in a couple of rash challenges in the first half, was booked for one of those. But, Christensen kept his composure and ensured that Real Madrid did not have a sniff at the goal for the majority of the game. Made three tackles and three interceptions.
Thiago Silva: 8/10
Rock-solid all throughout the contest. Did not put a foot wrong at the back, marshaled the backline well by constantly urging his teammates to get in positions. Composed with the ball at his feet as well. Such a top-class defender.
Antonio Rudiger: 8/10
Back into the lineup, the German looked full of purpose and drive, constantly pushing forward from the back and making some nice passes. A good run in the first half almost led to a goalscoring chance after he had forced Courtois into a save with a swerving effort from distance. Produced some important interventions after the break.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 7.5/10
Slotting in at right wing-back ahead of Reece James, Azpilicueta ensured Ferland Mendy never really got into the game, cutting out Real Madrid’s key outlet in the process while also ensuring Eden Hazard endured a quiet outing on his return to the Bridge. Not much of an influence going forward, although he did play one key pass.
N’Golo Kante: 9/10
N’Golo Kanté’s game by numbers vs. Real Madrid:
100% aerial duels won
45 touches
4 penalty area entries
4 interceptions
4 duels won
3 chances created (most)
2 ball recoveries
1 shot
1 take-on
1 blockEverywhere. ? #UCL pic.twitter.com/bRbQcfppVf
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 5, 2021
Carrying on from where he left off in the first leg, Kante was once again was all over Real Madrid like a rash. Popping up everywhere on the pitch to cut out attacks, the Frenchman also showed his offensive qualities, executing a lovely one-two with Werner after a fine turn before playing Havertz in, leading to the first goal. Won the ball and played Pulisic in for the second goal. Three key passes, four interceptions and would have had a goal as well if not for a brilliant tackle from Valverde.
Jorginho: 8/10
Picked up an early booking for fouling Hazard to stop a break. Kept his discipline for the rest of the game, constantly cutting out attacks as he made a game-high six interceptions. As usual, top-notch on the ball, completing 90% of his passes and playing two key passes. But, it was his pressing and positioning alongside Kante that set the tone for the win.
Ben Chilwell: 7/10
Involved in a lively duel with Vinicius Junior on the left, one which he edged out even though there were a couple of shabby moments defensively. Always an outlet getting forward and produced one key pass. Hard-working, energetic display from the Englishman.
Mason Mount: 8/10
Mason Mount’s game by numbers vs. Real Madrid:
32 touches
7 touches in opp. box (most)
5 duels won
3 shots
3 tackles (=most)
2 take-ons
2 chances created
1 shot on target
1 goalHe keeps getting better. ? #UCL pic.twitter.com/tripptByqM
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 5, 2021
So much intensity and energy from the Chelsea academy graduate, who produced a fine run and a cross early in the game which was cut out by Courtois. Caused all sorts of problems each time he drove forward at the Real Madrid defence. Should have scored when he fired over the bar in the second half before eventually netting the second goal. Two key passes, two dribbles and three tackles for the England international.
Timo Werner: 8/10
Needed to time his run better leading to his ruled out goal in the first half and while his link-up play was generally on point there were occasions when his final ball was a letdown. Nevertheless, Werner opened the scoring with the easiest of the finishes and continued to trouble the visitors’ defence with his pressing high up the pitch.
Kai Havertz: 8/10
Like Werner, there were times when his final ball needed to be better, but this was another encouraging display from the German, who is starting to come into his own after the slow start. Hit the bar with a beautifully chipped effort leading to the opening goal and struck the woodwork again after the break. Should have done better to beat Courtois when put through. Nevertheless, his movement and pressing meant Sergio Ramos and Nacho were all at bay.
Kai Havertz covered 11.63 km tonight. The highest of any player. That performance in the Champions League semi final at 21 years old. Going right to the very top. pic.twitter.com/csJN69heCD
— Ayden (@AydenMalek) May 5, 2021
SUBSTITUTES
Christian Pulisic: 7/10
Replaced Werner in the 67th minute and was lively throughout. Made some good runs and had a couple of half-chances. Could have taken a shot, but instead held his composure to set Mount up for the second goal.
Reece James: N/A
On for Azpilicueta in the 88th minute.
Hakim Ziyech: N/A
Late substitute for Mount.
Olivier Giroud: N/A
Stoppage time substitute for Giroud.
Real Madrid
Thibaut Courtois: 7/10
Courtois single-handedly keeping Real Madrid in this game ?? pic.twitter.com/JknYny65Ci
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 5, 2021
One of the few saving graces for Real Madrid on the night, the former Chelsea goalkeeper kept his team in the game time and again making a few good saves on either side of half-time on his return to Stamford Bridge. Not much he could have done about either goals. Let down by a lacking defence.
Eder Militao: 4/10
Having been in top form recently, the Brazilian was all over the places on Tuesday. Seemed unsure of position as he shuttled between right-back and right wing-back, with the likes of Mount and Chilwell enjoying plenty of joy on his side. Lost Mount for the second goal.
Sergio Ramos: 4/10
Returning to the side for the first time since March, it was a night to forget for the Real Madrid captain. Never looked comfortable dealing with Havertz and Werner at the top and was guilty of getting beaten by the latter leading up to the first goal. Booked for pushing Azpilicueta to the floor in the first period. Lacked sharpness needed for a game of this magnitude.
Are we going to keep quiet on how Havertz made Sergio Ramos look ordinary today…..
The nutmegs were insane #CHERMA pic.twitter.com/EtaaMWJKQk
— The retweeter (@guru_kalexis) May 5, 2021
Nacho: 4/10
Dragged all over the place by the Chelsea frontline which left him frustrated as he went into challenges rashly at times, getting a booking in the second half. Brilliantly beaten by Kante in the build-up to the first, Nacho did not do enough to stop the second and also lost Thiago Silva for a headed chance in between. Sloppy.
Vinicius Junior: 5/10
Playing as a wing-back on the right, the Brazilian never really looked comfortable. Tracking back constantly meant he was not able to offer much of an offensive threat. Had an interesting duel with Chilwell, but was bested by the Chelsea man and taken off in the second half.
Luka Modric: 6/10
Apart from a speculative effort from distance in the first half, the veteran Croat did little of note in the first half. Accurate on the ball as usual though, he was also able to play two key passes but nowhere nearly as impactful as he can be.
Proud for everything. pic.twitter.com/cM2K7xv1Lb
— ??? (@ModricEle) May 5, 2021
Casemiro: 5/10
Beaten all ends up by Kante and Werner’s one-two in the build-up to the first goal for the hosts. Tried to impose himself in the middle of the park, but was easily second best to his Chelsea counterparts. Taken off late on as Real Madrid pushed for a goal.
Toni Kroos: 5.5/10
Like Modric, Kroos was safe on the ball, but did not have enough incisiveness to carve open the Chelsea defence. Managed one key pass and a shot from distance that lacked any sort of venom. Did make a couple of tackles, but poor overall.
Ferland Mendy: 5/10
Back from injury only recently and it showed as he never really got to grips with the intensity of the Chelsea players. Hardly offered any sort of attacking outlet on the left, while leaving open spaces behind in plenty, piling on the problems for Nacho as a result.
Eden Hazard: 4/10
Cristiano after he was knocked out in the semi-finals of the Champions League:
And Hazard the new number 7 who was supposed to replace him.
Look at his reaction after Champions League semi-final exit:pic.twitter.com/FUlYd5G6Wf
— The CR7 Timeline. (@TimelineCR7) May 5, 2021
A forgettable return for the former Chelsea superstar to Stamford Bridge. The most notable thing he did in the first half was a turn that caught out Jorginho and led to him getting booked. Dropped deep to get on the ball, but hardly did anything meaningful when in possession. It’s like he has lost the confidence to run at defenders.
Karim Benzema: 6/10
Very well marshaled by the Chelsea backline, the Real Madrid’s dangerman hardly had a sniff on the night. Did well to fashion a chance for himself and test Mendy in the first half while forcing him into another good save with a header. Pretty much a non-entity after the break.
SUBSTITUTES
Federico Valverde: 5/10
Came on for Mendy in the 63rd minute and slotted in at right wing-back. Not much of impact.
Marco Asensio: 5/10
On for Vinicius in the final 25 minutes. Made a good run or two but none of it led to anything substantial.
Rodrygo: N/A
Replaced Casemiro with less than 15 minutes left.
Mariano Diaz: N/A
Late substitute for Hazard.
