Champions League Best XI: Ajax dominate after eliminating defender champions Real

Here we run through the best rated XI from the four Champions League matches in midweek.  

Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham) - 8.35

After running out 3-0 winners in the first leg, Tottenham knew they would have to withstand heavy pressure from Borussia Dortmund but they came through with flying colours on Tuesday. Hugo Lloris returned to his best when it mattered most and made seven important saves. He is only the second opposition goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet at the Signal Iduna Park this season.  

Left-back: Alex Telles (Porto) - 7.84 rating

Alex Telles converted the tie-winning spot-kick for Porto in extra-time to eliminate Serie A outfit Roma on Wednesday night. The former Inter full-back is renowned for his threat going forward and that was no exception here, with the Brazilian registering three shots and six key passes. Telles also completed four interceptions to help Porto through to their first Champions League quarter-final since 2015.  

Centre-back: Daley Blind (Ajax) - 7.76 rating

Daley Blind is one of five Ajax players in our best rated XI following their remarkable 4-1 victory away to Real Madrid. The 28-year-old is by no means the tallest centre-back in the competition but he still managed to win eight aerial duels on Tuesday, twice as many as any other player on display. Blind also made nine clearances and three tackles to help alleviate the danger on Ajax’s goal.  

Centre-back: Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham) - 7.91 rating

Tottenham unsurprisingly only had 36% of the ball in their second leg with Borussia Dortmund and it’s no surprise that two of their backline feature in our XI. The 31-year-old barely put a foot wrong at the back and even made a last man tackle to help ensure Tottenham kept an unlikely clean sheet. Vertonghen made six tackles and interceptions combined, as well as six clearances.  

Right-back: Noussair Mazraoui (Ajax) - 7.33 rating

21-year-old Noussair Mazraoui turned a solid display at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night despite his tender age. The Dutch right-back completed seven tackles and interceptions combined, while also making four clearances. Mazraoui started the match marking Vinicius Junior and then had to adapt to the threat of Gareth Bale. He can be proud of his performance.

Left midfield: Jesus Manuel Corona (Porto) - 8.26 rating

Jesus Manuel Corona is the second of three Porto players in our best rated XI after playing a decisive role in their win over Roma. The 26-year-old supplied an inch-perfect inswinging cross for team-mate Moussa Marega to convert to restore Porto’s lead before the hour mark. Corona created one more goalscoring opportunity and also completed four dribbles and won three fouls. He failed to test Roma’s goalkeeper from three attempts but chipped in with five tackles and interceptions combined.

Centre midfield: Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham) - 7.66 rating

Moussa Sissoko picked the perfect moment to turn in his best Tottenham display in the Champions League this season. The Frenchman has often been ridiculed during his stint at Spurs but was on hand to slip Harry Kane through on goal for the match winner against Borussia Dortmund in midweek. Tottenham didn’t see a lot of the ball so it was important when they did they didn’t concede it too quickly and Sissoko impressively completed 91.3% of his passes. He also won three tackles and made one interception.  

Centre midfield: Donny van de Beek (Ajax) - 7.40 rating

21-year-old Donny van de Beek has now scored or assisted in each of his last three matches for Ajax and was one of many young players to catch the eye for the Dutch side on Tuesday night. Van de Beek feed Dusan Tadic for his stunning goal and created another goalscoring opportunity. He tested Thibaut Courtois with his only shot of the match and won one free-kick.  

Right midfield: Hakim Ziyech (Ajax) - 8.73 rating

Hakim Ziyech has been a fabulous player in Holland for the last few years but there have always been questions whether he has the ability to deliver on the biggest of stages. He is answering those questions emphatically this season. Ziyech’s WhoScored rating in the Champions League this season is 7.79 and there was no let up in performance against Madrid on Tuesday. Ziyech scored his second goal of the European campaign, registered there key passes and completed two dribbles.  

Striker: Moussa Marega (FC Porto) - 9.02 rating

Porto striker Moussa Marega edges Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku for a place up front in our best rated XI after firing his side through to the next round of the competition. The 27-year-old has only just returned from injury but was on hand to score one and assist another for Porto. Marega had four shots in total, registered two key passes and won two fouls. He also made two tackles and completed one dribble.   

Striker: Dusan Tadic (Ajax) - 10.0 rating

Former Southampton playmaker turned in a performance against Madrid on Tuesday that few thought he had in him. Tadic was a world-beater against Madrid and proved unplayable, as he achieved the first perfect WhoScored 10.0 rating of this season’s Champions League knockout stage. Tadic put on a clinic at the Bernabeu, mixing skill with raw power. He played a direct hand in three of the four goals Ajax scored (one goal, two assists) and is deservedly our Champions League player of the week.