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Karim Benzema scored twice for Real Madrid in one of his best performances of the season to beat Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0 and qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Benzema’s first came within the first 10 minutes when he headed off a Lucas Vázquez cross that passed Gladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer. Alassane Plea should have equalized, shooting wide one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois, before Benzema’s second header, this time off a sensational shot from Rodrygo.
Madrid had a chance to triple before the break as Luka Modric hit the post and scored an offside goal, while Benzema and Vázquez also hit the wood after the break in a dominant performance for 90 minutes.
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Positive
Madrid’s task here was simple: win, and would go to the round of 16. That, and continuing with a proud record of always qualifying from the group stage, was the priority on a night in which other considerations such as the level of performance or even the improvement of the group were secondary. As it stands, they did all of that and more with a perfect note display.
At times, they made the quality gulf between these teams seem huge, a far cry from when Madrid needed to score twice in the final five minutes to win a draw in October. Madrid can now focus on domestic matters and climb the La Liga table, after finishing a test campaign in Group B at the top.
Negative
This was an almost perfect night in which the team, as they usually do, responded to adversity in a convincing way. As such, there were no negatives to speak of.
Manager rating out of 10
8 – Zinedine Zidane would have been in grave danger of losing his position if his team had been defeated. Instead, their position is reinforced. The selection of his team was successful, with only one change in the team that won 1-0 at Sevilla. However, that change was important, as captain Sergio Ramos returned from injury for arguably Madrid’s most important game of the season so far. Zidane kept Vázquez on the team, and he excelled as a right-back, as did Rodrygo on the wing. No tactical adjustments were required during the game, and their substitutions, bringing in Marco Asensio and Sergio Arribas when the team needed fresh legs, made sense.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players submitted after 70 minutes are not rated)
GK Thibaut Courtois, 7 – Monchengladbach hardly threatened his goal. He saved Marcus Thuram early, then stepped out of line to narrow angles for Plea’s opportunity.
DF Lucas Vázquez, 8 – He kept his place on the right side with Dani Carvajal who only conceded enough to make the bench. He did very well, getting plenty of forwards despite having to deal with Thuram on defense. A well-placed cross for Benzema’s first, who hit the post at the end.
DF Raphael Varane, 7 – He dominated Breel Embolo to the point that it was taken from him at halftime. He made a mistake, allowing Plea to get behind him for Monchengladbach’s best chance of the match.
DF Sergio Ramos, 7 – Back after three weeks away. Ramos is no guarantee of defensive solidity (Madrid had conceded four goals in the two Champions League games that started before tonight), but his presence as a vocal organizer of the entire team is noticeable. The bad luck of not scoring with a header in the second half.
DF Ferland Mendy, 7 years old An increasingly reliable presence, his association with Ramos on the left side of defense continues to grow. Solid here against Gladbach’s moving, dangerous-looking front.
MF Casemiro, 7 – He said before the game that he understands Zidane’s team rotation, but his presence is essential on big occasions. He saw Vázquez in space before Madrid’s first goal. Otherwise quietly efficient.
MF Toni Kroos, 7 – He worked hard, went deep to start making passes, and pressed high when necessary. His association with Modric was crucial to Madrid’s dominance. He shot well in the second half.
MF Luka Modric, 9 – He ran the game in an elite display of passing, movement and control. He hit the post before the break and then a beautiful offside shot was ruled out.
PW Vinicius Junior 7 – Enjoying a team career with Eden Hazard out. His tricks and movies often don’t work, but he never stops trying things. He should have shot on goal in the second half when he was behind, but chose to pass.
FW Rodrygo, 8 – There is something in the Champions League that brings out the best in him. He celebrated his third consecutive start with an outstanding performance from the second Real Madrid player, giving them a cushion in what could have been a difficult night.
DEL Karim Benzema, 9 – Close to the top form. He scored his first goals in a month, both with a good header, and the carpentry denied him a hat trick. Some gorgeous touches in the second half when falling deeper too.
Substitutes
DEL Marco Asensio, N / A – He played just under 20 minutes, coming in for Vinicius, and he did well.
MF Sergio Arribas, N / R – He made his Champions League debut replacing Rodrygo on the right wing and did not seem intimidated.
