This was a disorganized, fragile Madrid. They had Kylian Mbappé up top — a reliable source of goals — but he can’t win every game by himself. Today the rest didn’t follow. A few did in spells: Güler, Vinicius, Carvajal. But a stop-start team isn’t enough. And any side that ships five in one afternoon is bound to get punished.
Madrid suffered with Bellingham still not himself and Valverde still short of his best. The latter is edging into warning-light territory. It’s a tactical problem. Madrid lost because it lost control. Because it lost its structure. An afternoon that proves Mbappé can’t do it alone — and that Huijsen and Carreras are human.
Starters
Courtois: uncertain on crosses from wide areas and unable to stop those shots that look unstoppable, but usually are not for him. More human than usual. And shaky with long balls out. Rating: 4.
Carvajal (59′): tight on Nico González, the liveliest attacker of the first half. Did his job in the hybrid wingback role Xabi Alonso has drawn up for him in attack, and was rock solid defensively. Very good individually. Rating: 6.
Militao (46′): impressive. Strong into challenges and quick enough to deal with balls slipped through the lines. The quibble: a little soft defending wide deliveries. Even so, better than Huijsen by comparison. Keeps growing, earning “undroppable” status. The downer was his injury: left ankle, after an accidental kick from Sorloth. Rating: 7.
Huijsen (90′): his worst display for Real Madrid. More errors playing out, less clarity and, above all, softness. The 2–2 right before the break comes from a predictable cross, yet he’s beaten far too easily at his back post. Mistakes below his level. Rating: 3.
Carreras: like Dean, his worst game with Real Madrid. Uncertain in buildup and in duels, though dangerous going forward. His synergy with Vinicius keeps growing and, as proof, their fullback-winger combinations are creating danger. Overall, more seams showed than he had been revealing. Rating: 3.
Tchouaméni: at fault on the opener, losing his position too easily and allowing Le Normand a point-blank finish. Played as a third center back in the first half and shifted to right center back after the hour when Xabi moved Asencio to right back. Rating: 4.
Valverde: the same story as all season. He isn’t comfortable, he hasn’t found a clear role, he isn’t Valverde. He’s so gifted that even so he contributes at a starter’s level, but anyone who’s seen the Falcon at full flight knows this version is far off that. Something’s wrong and it’s tactical — a question of fit. Rating: 3.
Bellingham (70’): combative but out of sync. Lacked his usual impact both in buildup and in the box. He has to build up slowly — he’d only played 22 minutes since surgery — so there’s room to evolve, settle and grow. But it’s obvious he needs time. This Bellingham isn’t Bellingham yet. Rating: 3.
Güler (59’): sensational overall, though his final minutes weren’t at the same level. A surprise starter, leaving Mastantuono on the bench with Bellingham back. And he made a statement. From the right he linked brilliantly with Mbappé. Arda takes the ball, sets the tempo and slips passes in behind that are candy for a finisher like Kylian. Add his work in midfield and his late runs from deep and you’re talking top marks. That last skill produced the 1–2. The negative was his second half: more turnovers than usual and a conceded penalty where, debate aside, he very clearly raises his leg too high. A reckless play. Rating: 6.
Mbappé: that’s ten goals this season — ten in eight matches. An average of 1.25 per game; with Madrid potentially playing up to 63, he’d be tracking for 79. Wild numbers. For perspective, Cristiano Ronaldo’s best was 61 in 2014–15. Even on days when he doesn’t look especially sharp, he appears and strikes. He has scored in every game this season except Mallorca. Operating at Ballon d’Or level — and anything else you care to name. Rating: 8.
Vinicius: More of a game-changer than a goalscorer. And he performed well in that role during the first half. His effort to destroy Le Normand before gifting Güler the 2-1 is a delight. Pace, a cut, and a goal. But he faded in the second half, losing energy, weight, and danger. Lacking grit. This match is the perfect example that he has the capacity to be a unique, unbalanced footballer; but he also goes through moments of indifference. Of inconsequentiality. And this last point is what puts his starting place, his status, in jeopardy. Score: 4.
Substitutes
Asencio (46’): Xabi Alonso’s decision to move him from center back to right back tells you he didn’t start well. Struggled to mark Julián Álvarez and looked nervous playing out. Better at right back, but since it isn’t his position Madrid inevitably lost thrust down that side. Rating: 3.
Camavinga (59’): plenty of energy and urgency. Tried to stretch and shake the team after the break. Needs more minutes to regain rhythm and confidence. Rating: 5.
Mastantuono (59’): his place on the bench was the lineup surprise, ceding the right flank to Güler. Came on after the break and, while eager, wasn’t sharp. Rating: 5.
Rodrygo (70’): brought energy late but created little. Largely on the periphery. Rating: 4.
Gonzalo (90’): introduced for the closing minutes. Little time to influence. Rating: N/A.