Real Madrid 4-2 Napoli: Player ratings as Jude Bellingham stars in entertaining victory
Real Madrid secured top spot in Champions League Group C after a 4-2 win against Napoli on Wednesday evening.
Giovanni Simeone gave Real Madrid a scare after his early tap-in but a quickfire turnaround put the 14-time European champions ahead. Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham struck for the Spanish side to give them a one-goal advantage going into the break.
Frank-Andre Zambo Anguissa levelled proceedings shortly after half-time with a powerful effort, but late goals from Nicolas Paz and Joselu gave Madrid all three points in the Spanish capital.
How the game unfolded
Real Madrid had already secured qualification for the knockout stages but needed to avoid defeat against Napoli to guarantee top spot in Group C with a Game to spare. However, it was the visitors who took an early lead at the Santiago Bernabeu, Simeone - son of Atletico Madrid manager Diego - bundling home Giovanni Di Lorenzo's cross after nine minutes.
That lead would last just one minute for Napoli though, Rodrygo receiving Brahim Diaz's pass on the edge of the area before curling home an exquisite equaliser beyond Alex Meret.
It didn't take long for Madrid to take a deserved lead either, Bellingham continuing his sensational form since moving to Spain. David Alaba whipped a wonderful cross into the penalty area and the English midfielder powerfully planted his header beyond the Napoli goalkeeper.
Diaz might have put Madrid further ahead but could only fire an effort wide following Rodrygo's build-up, while Piotr Zielinski's deflected effort landed on the roof of Andriy Lunin's net at the other end.
Napoli caught Madrid cold just two minutes into the second half, former Fulham midfielder Zambo Anguissa slamming a fierce effort beyond Lunin to go level. With Victor Osimhen having come on at half-time, Madrid were likely to be tested with greater regularity as the Game progressed.
The visitors continued to grow but Madrid posed plenty of threat themselves. Substitute Joselu should have converted Ferland Mendy's excellent cross at the far post, inexplicably kneeing over the crossbar with the goal gaping, while Osimhen rifled an effort home but was a good five yards offside.
Meret had to react quickly to keep out Antonio Rudiger's close-range header with quarter of an hour remaining, with Bellingham also seeing an effort rebuffed by the Italian goalkeeper after a smart Madrid move. Joselu couldn't convert the rebound from the former Borussia Dortmund man's shot, much to the disappointment of an increasingly frustrated Bernabeu.
However, Meret swiftly turned from hero to villain. Young Paz rattled an effort goalward from 25 yards, with the midfielder's shot somehow finding its way through the gloves of the Napoli stopper. Joselu eventually grabbed a fourth for Madrid, apologetically celebrating in front of the home crowd given his earlier misses, with the hosts ensuring they go into the knockout rounds seeded.
Real Madrid player ratings (4-3-1-2)
GK: Andriy Lunin - 6/10 - Unfortunate not to keep out Simeone's opener but did rebuff the striker's later effort in the first half. Could similarly do nothing with Anguissa's thunderbolt and was generally confident in between the sticks.
RB: Dani Carvajal - 7/10 - Generally dealt with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia well down Napoli's left and posed some problems in their own half.
CB: Antonio Rudiger - 7/10 - A commanding defensive display from Rudiger who was characteristically physical up against Napoli's forwards. Arguably lucky to stay on the pitch after a nasty challenge on Zielinski.
CB: David Alaba - 7/10 - A sumptuous cross from deep to set up Bellingham's header but was a little lax defensively in the second half.
LB: Ferland Mendy - 6/10 - Went walkabout during Napoli's opener and the visitors' second also came down his side. However, it was a passable display from the Frenchman at the Bernabeu.
CM: Federico Valverde - 6/10 - Not his brightest outing in a white shirt but still provided energy in midfield. Outplayed by his veteran teammate Kroos.
CM: Toni Kroos - 8/10 - A masterful performance in the centre of the park, showing yet again what he brings. The 33-year-old's passing was brilliant throughout and he kept things ticking in midfield.
CM: Dani Ceballos - 5/10 - An uninspiring performance from Ceballos who offered very little in central areas. Understandably replaced early in the second half by Joselu.
AM: Jude Bellingham - 9/10 - A brilliant header put Madrid ahead before the break but it was Bellingham's general play that was so spectacular. Loads of neat touches, the odd bit of showboating and plenty of effortless darts beyond Napoli defenders. Oh, and a late assist too.
ST: Brahim Diaz - 7/10 - The former Manchester City man was impressive in the first half, showing glimpses of his quality and quick feet. Lacked a little ruthlessness in the final third but still a confident display from the Spaniard.
ST: Rodrygo - 8/10 - An absolutely fantastic strike to level proceedings early in the match, planting his shot perfectly in the top corner from the edge of the box. Frequently exhibited his supreme technical quality.
Substitutes
SUB: Joselu (57' for Ceballos) - 5/10 - Missed a ton of big chances and struggled to keep hold of possession. Eventually scored after his 600th attempt in stoppage-time.
SUB: Nicolas Paz (65' for Diaz) - 7/10 - Manged an important third for Madrid, although Meret should have kept his effort out.
SUB: Nacho (87' for Mendy) - N/A
SUB: Lucas Vazquez {87' for Rodrygo) - N/A
Subs not used: Gonzalez (GK), Canizares (GK), Garcia, Rielves, Gonzalez, Gonzalo, Zidane.
Manager
Carlo Ancelotti - 7/10 - The former Napoli boss picked a strong starting lineup and his Madrid side just about came away with three points. Two of his substitutes scored, so that's not too shabby.
Player of the match: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
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