Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea: Blues player ratings as Thomas Tuchel's men secure crucial draw | UEFA Champions League 2020-21

Chelsea and Real Madrid played out a 1-1 draw on Tuesday night
Chelsea and Real Madrid played out a 1-1 draw on Tuesday night

Goals from Christian Pulisic and Karim Benzema ensured that Real Madrid and Chelsea shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final tie.

Tuesday's game was played under a torrential downpour, but that did not stop the visitors from starting on the front foot.

Chelsea were, by far, the better side in the opening stages and fashioned the best chances, with Timo Werner shooting straight at Thibaut Courtois from six yards out.

The Blues soon got the lead they deserved when a lofted pass by Antonio Rudiger caught out the Real Madrid defense and allowed Pulisic to run behind. The American showed great composure to skip past a sprawling Courtois before slotting the ball into the back of the net.

Karim Benzema hit the post a couple of minutes later before showing his ingenuity six minutes later. A corner kick was not properly dealt with by the Chelsea defense. Benzema controlled the ball in the air before converting with an acrobatic finish.

This was his 71st goal in the Champions League and saw him go level with the iconic Raul Gonzalez as the fourth all-time highest goalscorer in the competition.

Both sides went into the break level, with the rain continuing to pour down heavily.

The second half was a more cagey affair, with the tempo of the game significantly reduced.

A raft of changes were made in the final 25 minutes, with Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech and Alvaro Odriozola all among those to come on, while Eden Hazard also got to face his former side.

Neither side was able to find the winning goal. This ensures that the tie is still firmly poised ahead of the second leg.

The draw means that Real Madrid are now unbeaten in 17 matches across all competitions. It also means Chelsea remain unbeaten in four games against Los Blancos, winning and drawing two apiece.

Here is a rundown of how the players fared in the clash between Real Madrid and Chelsea.


Real Madrid player ratings against Chelsea

Thibaut Courtois - 6.5/10

The Real Madrid goalkeeper made a number of fine saves to keep his side in the game when Chelsea were in the ascendancy. However, his eagerness got the better of him in the buildup to Pulisic's goal.


Marcelo - 6.5/10

Marcelo stood in as the Real Madrid captain but did not offer too much going forward. He was substituted in the 72nd minute.


Nacho Fernandez - 6/10

The 31-year-old made one interception and also registered one shot off target.


Raphael Varane - 6.5/10

Varane made seven clearances and had a pass accuracy of 95.3%, which was the highest of all Real Madrid players who started the game.

Eder Militao 8.5/10

Eder Militao was a rock at the heart of the Real Madrid defense and played a key role in keeping Chelsea at bay. He also stepped up to provide an assist for Benzema's equalizer.


Dani Carvajal - 6/10

Dani Carvajal was beneath his usual best against Chelsea, which was understandable considering he was just returning from an injury. He struggled with his fitness late on and had to be substituted.


Casemiro - 7/10

Casemiro was overworked by the Chelsea midfielders but still proved his mettle with three tackles. He also created two chances for his teammates.


Luka Modric - 5.5/10

Luka Modric did not have the best of games, as Chelsea totally dominated the midfield.


Toni Kroos - 7/10

Toni Kroos was the chief instigator of Real Madrid's attacks and discharged his duties effectively. He created two chances and had a pass accuracy of 92.4%.


Vinicius Junior - 6.5/10

The Brazil international was vibrant down the flanks and played his role in keeping the Chelsea defense on the backfoot before his replacement in the 65th minute.


Karim Benzema - 8/10

Karim Benzema scored his 28th goal of the season
Karim Benzema scored his 28th goal of the season

Karim Benzema has been Real Madrid's savior this season and stepped up to the plate once more against Chelsea.


Substitutes

Eden Hazard - 5.5/10

Hazard came on against his former side with 25 minutes to go but did not make much impact during his time on the field.


Marco Asensio - 5.5/10

Marco Asensio came on for Marcelo in the 77th minute and ended the game with a 100% pass accuracy.


Alvaro Odriozola - 5/10

Odriozola came on for Carvajal with 13 minutes to go but still got booked for a rash challenge on Antonio Rudiger.


Rodrygo - N/A

The 20-year-old came on in injury time and barely had a touch of the ball.

Chelsea player ratings against Real Madrid

Edouard Mendy

Edouard Mendy was relatively untested in the Chelsea goal against Real Madrid
Edouard Mendy was relatively untested in the Chelsea goal against Real Madrid

The Chelsea goalkeeper was largely untested for most of the game but was powerless to stop Real Madrid's equalizer.


Ben Chilwell - 6.5/10

The Chelsea wing-back was responsible for pushing attacks down the left flank and effectively discharged his duties. He was, however, let down by poor decision-making on occasion.


Thiago Silva - 6.5/10

Silva was an immense presence at the heart of the Chelsea defense and brought his experience to the fore to help keep the Real Madrid attack at bay.

Andreas Christensen - 7/10

Christensen made three interceptions and three clearances against Real Madrid.


Antonio Rudiger - 7.5/10

The Germany international's technique was on display for Pulisic's opener. He also proved his mettle in defense.


Cesar Azpilicueta - 6.5/10

The Chelsea captain adapted despite playing in an unfamiliar role at wing-back. He made three tackles and two interceptions against Real Madrid.

N'Golo Kante - 9/10

N'Golo Kante was back to his brilliant best and covered practically every blade of grass for Chelsea. The France international put in a good shift in both defense and attack and was deservedly named Man of the Match.


Jorginho - 7/10

Jorginho played a key role in helping Chelsea control the game, particularly in the first half from the base of midfield.


Mason Mount - 6.5/10

Mount gave an energetic display for Chelsea and ended the night with a pass accuracy of 96%. He also put in a significant shift in his defensive duties.


Timo Werner - 5.5/10

Werner's struggles in front of goal continued as he missed a gilt-edged chance in the 10th minute. His positioning and control deserted him for the rest of the game before his substitution.


Christian Pulisic - 7/10

Christian Pulisic scored the opener
Christian Pulisic scored the opener

The 22-year-old showed great technique to score the opener for Chelsea and was full of energy for the rest of his time on the field.


Substitutes

Kai Havertz - 6/10

Havertz's introduction helped add mobility to the Chelsea attack.


Hakim Ziyech - 7/10

Ziyech came on in the 66th minute with a point to prove and ended the game with two of Chelsea's five shots on target.


Reece James - 6/10

Reece James came on for Azpilicueta in the 86th minute to add extra steel in defense, and he did his job effectively.

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