Real Madrid continued their unbeaten run in the 2016 UEFA Champions League with a 2-1 win over Sporting. The Los Blancos took the lead through Raphael Varane in the 28th minute of the game before Adrien Silva equalised for Sporting.
However, Karim Benzema scored the winner for Real Madrid in the dying stages to give Zidane’s side all 3 points and keep them in contention for top spot.
Also read: Sporting Lisbon 1 - 2 Real Madrid - 5 Talking Points
Here are the player ratings for the game:
Sporting CP
Rui Patricio – 5/10
Rui Patricio didn’t have much to do in the game. The Portuguese goalkeeper couldn’t have done anything with the goals either.
Joao Pereira – 5/10
The full-back had the responsibility of dealing with Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale. Even though he faced a tough time against the Welsh international, he was able to limit space for the player. Pereira was given a controversial red card just after the hour mark for an off the ball incident with Kovacic which ultimately turned the game.
Ruben Semedo – 7/10
The 22-year-old was very good for Sporting at the back. Ruben Semedo made some key interceptions and tackles. He did well to deal with everything that came in his way.
Sebastian Coates – 7/10
The former Liverpool player was also solid alongside Semedo. Coates didn’t do anything wrong in the game and the fact that Real Madrid only had two shots on target tells a lot about the Sporting defence. The centre-back made an amazing 8 interceptions and 11 clearances in the match, one of the highest in the team.
Marvin Zeegelaar – 6.5/10
The full-back did well defensively but could have contributed more offensively. The 26-year-old handled Lucas Vazquez on the flank. He made sure that the Spaniard did not have much space for most of the game. Zeegelaar had a pass accuracy of 90.7% and also made two key passes, joint best along with Gelson Martins and Luka Modric.
William Carvalho – 8/10
The highly rated defensive midfielder did his job perfectly. Carvalho had the responsibility of marking Isco Alarcon and he did it very well. The Portuguese acted as the defensive cover for the backline.
Adrien Silva – 8/10
The midfielder was very good on the ball and also his passing was on point on the night. Silva’s creativity helped his team threaten the opposition. He took the penalty very well and all in all, It was a perfect captain’s display from the 27-year-old.
Bruno Cesar – 6/10
The attacker was extremely involved in his team’s attacking moves in the first half but faded away in the second half. Cesar was arguably Sporting’s most dangerous player in the first half, but was unable to find the back of the net.
Gelson Martins – 8/10
The battle between him and Real Madrid’s Marcelo was a treat to watch. Gelson Martins was very good with the ball at his feet. Martins also made some good runs on the flank and troubled Marcelo for most of the game.
Bryan Ruiz – 4/10
The former Fulham player didn’t have an influence in the game and struggled to contribute for his team. Ruiz was subbed off in the 67th minute of the game.
Bas Dost - 6/10
The Dutch striker worked tirelessly and pressed hard as usual. The player also used his physicality to hold the ball at his feet. However, he couldn’t do much to threaten the Real Madrid defence.
Substitutes
Joel Campbell – 7.5/10
The 24-year-old replaced Bruno Cesar on the 62-minute mark and had a decent impact. Campbell was a real threat after coming on and eventually won the penalty for his team which Silva tucked away.
Ezequiel Schelotto – 6/10
The defender came on for Ruiz in the 67th minute of the game. Schelotto filled the space left by the red-carded Pereira and did a fairly decent job.
Andre – 5/10
The striker came on as a replacement for Dost in the 78th minute of the game but struggled to contribute much offensively.
Real Madrid
Keylor Navas – 6/10
The Costa Rican couldn’t do anything about the penalty and only had one save to make over the course of the 90 minutes.
Daniel Carvajal – 6.5/10
The full-back went up the pitch often but his final ball left a lot to be desired. Carvajal did well defensively though to ensure Madrid came away with the 3 points.
Raphael Varane – 9/10
The Frenchman was solid at the back and also scored a goal for Real Madrid. Varane dealt with the Sporting attackers without much trouble. The defender almost made a costly error in the box after he failed to clear the ball away, however, Sporting's Joel Campbell spurned the opportunity. Overall, It was a great performance from the centre-back.
Sergio Ramos – 8/10
The Spaniard looked shaky at times at the back, but he was good overall. Ramos’ best moment of the game was the cross he delivered from which Benzema scored the winner. Ramos was the best player of the game in the air. The centre-back won six aerial duels on the night, which is four more than anyone else.
Marcelo – 6/10
The Brazilian was outrun by Gelson a few times, but ultimately dealt with the winger well. The full-back was very much involved in his team’s attack like always. Fabio Coentrao replaced him at the 71-minute mark.
Luka Modric – 7.5/10
The Croatian was very good with the ball at his feet and his passing was on point. The midfielder’s free-kick led to his team’s first goal. However, the rest of his set-pieces were poor. It was a very neat performance from Modric, but he is capable of a lot more.
Mateo Kovacic – 7/10
Modric’s countryman also had a good game against Sporting. The former Inter Milan player’s passes were crisp and accurate. He had a pass accuracy of 95.4%, the best of the night. The 22-year-old also ran tirelessly in the midfield. Kovacic was also the best dribbler on the night with 3 successful dribbles. He was also responsible for Pereira’s dismissal albeit in a controversial manner.
Isco Alarcon – 6/10
The creative midfielder was restricted by William Carvalho and hence couldn’t contribute much. Isco tried hard to get the better of the Portuguese, but failed. The couple of set-pieces he delivered were very poor and Sporting almost scored a goal after he cheaply gave away the ball in midfield. The former Malaga player was rightly taken off for the final 20 minutes.
Lucas Vazquez – 5/10
Vazquez failed to have any influence in the game whatsoever. Zeegellar made things very difficult for the forward.
Gareth Bale – 5.5/10
The Welshman caused trouble using his pace and strength, but couldn’t cause any damage in the end. Bale was dealt very well by Pereira and hence he did not have much space to work with. Every pass and cross he made was intercepted by the solid Sporting defence. The former Tottenham Hotspur player was taken off in the 58th minute due to a knock.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 5/10
The forward had a frustrating night on his return to his old home. Ronaldo was not at his best and was not effective enough. He was dispossessed six times, the worst of the night. However, the former Manchester United man played a role in Varane's goal. His shot was blocked by the opposition, but it fell to the French defender who tapped it in.
Substitutes
Marco Asensio – 6/10
Asensio replaced the injured Bale in the 58th minute of the game. The attacker was involved in a couple of Real Madrid counter-attacks. His inaccurate pass broke down one of those attacks while he almost scored from the other.
Karim Benzema – 8/10
The Frenchman came on for Isco in the 67th minute of the game and scored the winner from his first shot. Benzema did what the whole Real Madrid attack couldn’t do in just 20 minutes.
Fabio Coentrao – 4/10
The Portuguese defender replaced Marcelo in the 71st minute. Coentrao’s performance was in complete contrast to Benzema’s. While Benzema scored the winner for his team, the full-back almost cost his side the three points. Sporting were awarded the penalty, from which they equalised, after a poor handball from the 28-year old.
