Ranking Real Madrid’s top 5 players against Celtic

Champions League holders Actual Madrid sealed Group F high spot with a commanding 5-1 win over Celtic on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday (November 2).

With no win of their final two Champions League video games, Los Blancos wanted a optimistic consequence to progress as group winners forward of RB Leipzig. A purpose every from Luka Modric, Rodrygo, Marco Asensio, Vinicius Junior, and Federico Valverde ensured that the Whites didn’t need to depend on Leipzig’s consequence to win their group. Jota scored the one purpose for Celtic on Wednesday evening.

Actual Madrid began the sport brightly and received a penalty after solely 5 minutes of play. After Celtic keeper Joe Hart saved Rodrygo’s shot, Valverde adopted by with the rebound. The Uruguayan’s shot bounced off the bottom and hit Moritz Jenz’s outstretched arm, prompting the referee to level to the spot. Modric despatched Hart the fallacious means from the spot to place Actual Madrid forward.

Within the nineteenth minute, Vinicius Junior appeared destined to double Madrid’s lead with a tap-in on the far put up, however Hart made himself massive and blocked the Brazil worldwide’s shot. Sadly for him, his crew conceded a second penalty the next minute, as soon as once more attributable to handball. Rodrygo took the second penalty, sending Hart the fallacious approach to double his crew’s benefit.

Earlier than the half-hour mark, Los Blancos goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was known as into motion a few instances, with Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi attempting their luck. Their photographs had been comfortably collected by Courtois.

Within the thirty third minute, Ferland Mendy dedicated a foul on Liel Abada, compelling the referee to award a penalty to Celtic. Josip Juranovic stepped up for it however his effort was not adequate to beat Courtois.

Asensio and Vinicius Junior scored two good objectives inside the primary quarter-hour of the second half, sending Madrid 4-0 up. Celtic striker Georgios Giakoumakis and Hatate drew two saves out of Courtois earlier than Valverde scored the fifth purpose of the sport within the 71st minute.

Celtic’s greatest second of the match got here within the 84th minute when Portuguese sensation Jota dispatched a curling free kick to beat Courtois. The Scottish aspect, who completed final in Group F with two factors, pushed so as to add one other within the closing moments, however the hosts expertly neutralized their risk.

Listed here are 5 Actual Madrid gamers who stood out of their 5-1 win over Celtic on Wednesday:

#5 Vinicius Junior

Los Blancos’ poster boy Vinicius Junior didn’t have a straightforward evening on Wednesday. Celtic overloaded their proper flank as a rule to maintain a lid on the left winger, and had been profitable on a number of events.

The Brazilian, nevertheless, was not one to be disheartened by the guests’ resolve. He in the end bought his purpose within the 61st minute, timing his run beautifully to beat his man and apply the of completion to Valverde’s cross. The purpose apart, Vinicius Junior performed two key passes, received three of 4 floor duels, and accomplished two dribbles.

#4 Luka Modric

Probably the most skilled Actual Madrid participant on Wednesday’s pitch, Luka Modric, was at his sensible greatest towards the Scottish outfit. The Croatian stretched the sport together with his lengthy balls, dictated the tempo together with his passes, fulfilled defensive obligations, and scored Madrid’s opening purpose from the spot.

The previous Tottenham Hotspur central midfielder delivered six correct lengthy balls, accomplished 69 passes (89.6% accuracy), and received two of three duels on Wednesday evening. Dani Ceballos changed the Croat within the 66th minute.

#3 Thibaut Courtois

Though the scoreline suggests in any other case, Actual Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was busier than Celtic keeper Hart on Wednesday. His most memorable save of the evening got here within the thirty fifth minute when he denied Josip Juranovic from the spot.

The Celtic man went for energy over placement, aiming for the best aspect of Courtois’ internet. The Los Merengues keeper learn the path of the shot and made a powerful save together with his proper hand. Courtois made a complete of seven saves on Wednesday, together with three from contained in the field. He additionally performed 29 correct passes (85.3% accuracy) and precisely delivered three lengthy balls.

#2 Marco Asensio

Getting a uncommon begin in Karim Benzema’s absence, Marco Asensio produced a efficiency to recollect. His distribution was extraordinary, he created one probability after one other, and scored a neat purpose within the 51st minute to triple his crew’s lead.

He dashed into the field from the best aspect, linked beautifully with Carvajal’s offload, and guided it previous the helpless Hart. The Spain worldwide additionally performed a game-high 5 key passes, accomplished 64 passes (94% accuracy), delivered two correct lengthy balls, and made three interceptions. It was simply Asensio’s greatest efficiency of the 2022-23 marketing campaign.

#1 Federico Valverde

Probably the most in-form Actual Madrid participant for the time being, Federico Valverde, was like a livewire on the Santiago Bernabeu pitch on Wednesday. He made sturdy runs, all the time tracked again, scored an outstanding long-ranger, and claimed an help.

Within the 61st minute, Valverde discovered himself in possession on the best aspect of Celtic’s purpose. He noticed Vinicius Junior’s run and delivered a low cross into the realm. The Brazilian winger gently tucked it residence to quadruple his aspect’s benefit. Ten minutes after helping Vinicius Junior, Valverde bought on the scoresheet himself, scoring a side-footed screamer from exterior the field.

Along with two purpose involvements, Valverde made 4 key passes, delivered three correct crosses, and created an enormous probability. He additionally made three interceptions, tried a sort out, and received a floor duel.