The England ace scored one goal and created another but it was Nico Diaz’s late strike which effectively secured another Champions League victory
Jude Bellingham was impactful once again but Real Madrid turned to an unlikely source to seal a Champions League win over Napoli. Academy product Nico Paz scored his first goal for the club in the 84th minute, a speculative strike from distance that gave his side the lead, serving as the defining moment in a 4-2 win.
Napoli took the lead early on, Giovanni Simeone bundling the ball over the line after a sweeping counter-attack. Their lead lasted less than two minutes. Rodrygo, after scoring twice at the weekend, found the equaliser, cutting onto his right foot and angling a shot into the top right corner.
And Madrid took the lead shortly after, Bellingham bagging his 15th goal of the season with an acrobatic header, nodded back across the keeper from the far post. But the visitors stayed in it. They levelled the contest after the break, Frank Anguissa lashing the ball into the corner early in the second half.
As the half wore on, Madrid looked more likely to grab a winner, creating a litany of chances, most of the game flowing through the influential Bellingham. And they found the big goal late. It came from Nico, who shimmied away from a defender before unleashing a shot from distance.
Alex Meret will feel he should have denied the effort, but it hit the net all the same, marking a seminal moment in the 19-year-old substitute’s career. Joselu’s fourth – a tap-in at the far post – sealed an ultimately comfortable victory for the hosts.
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Goalkeeper & Defence
Andriy Lunin (6/10):
Could do little about Napoli’s goals, although his effort to turn the first away was a valiant one.
Dani Carvajal (6/10):
Given a tough time by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia but got forward well and contributed in attacking areas.
Antonio Rudiger (7/10):
A vital intervention prevented what seemed to be a certain goal on the stroke of half time. Went about the rest of his defensive work with aplomb, although he was perhaps fortunate not to receive punishment for a dangerous challenge on Piotr Zielinski.
David Alaba (6/10):
Assisted Bellingham’s header with a delightful ball. Less steady at the other end of the pitch, struggling with first Simeone, then Victor Osimhen.
Ferland Mendy (7/10):
Covered his man well and showed a bit more going forward than in recent weeks.
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Midfield
Toni Kroos (6/10):
As steady as ever on the ball but was exposed defensively on a number of occasions.
Federico Valverde (7/10):
Full of legs in a deeper midfield position and calm on the ball.
Dani Ceballos (6/10):
Solid in his first start of the season. Just had to eat up minutes and he went about that well.
Jude Bellingham (8/10):
Buried a Ronaldo-esque header at the far post. Bossed it from central areas throughout. The best player in the world at the moment.
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Attack
Brahim Diaz (6/10):
Instrumental in the build up to the Madrid equaliser. Bright on the ball, always willing to run when he didn’t have it. Removed after an hour with an apparent calf issue.
Rodrygo (8/10):
Scored a wonderful equalising goal. Was a constant threat on the counter and linked up well with the rest of Madrid’s attack. He’s in excellent form at the moment.
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Subs & Manager
Joselu (4/10):
Missed a sitter immediately after being brought on and squandered further chances after that before finally getting on the scoresheet – when it didn’t matter.
Nico Paz (8/10):
What a moment! Came on and scored the crucial third goal.
Nacho (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Lucas Vazquez (N/A):
Late legs to seal the result.
Carlo Ancelotti (7/10):
Picked his strongest side, especially given the injury situation. He will be disappointed to concede twice but Madrid were good enough going forward to grab a big win. Job done in the group stage.