Full Match Player Ratings below:
Thibaut Courtois — 7: Yet another easy night at the office — rarely tested, facing just 2 shots on target in the game. Was effective off his line, claiming crosses and corners.
Fede Valverde — 8: Looks like he has been playing the right-back position for decades. His engine allows him to get up and down the field at will. Was impressive defending 1v1. Later in the match, he moved to midfield and provided an assist to Vini for the fifth goal.
Raúl Asencio — 7: Continues to play at a first-team level, prepared and mentally locked in for each game. Never anxious when left as the last defender or retreating in a 4v2 situation—reads the game well and stays calm. Played right back for the final 20 minutes of the game and looked comfortable in that position, getting forward effectively and picking the right pass.
Antonio Rudiger — 7: Helped with the build-up from the back, feeding the ball to Vinicius and Bellingham down the left channel.
Ferland Mendy — 6: Easy afternoon, with Salzburg rarely offering a threat. Was safe in possession when he ventured forward, often passing backward or laterally.
Dani Ceballos — 8: A workhorse in midfield but also a technically gifted player who provides an escape valve under pressure. Once again, he was all over the pitch—disrupting play and winning the ball back. Finished the match with a team high of 5 tackles.
Luka Modric — 8: Worked hard off the ball, often pressing from a second forward position. Combined well with Fede, Ceballos, and Bellingham. Always looked for the quick vertical pass. Fed Vinicius with an inch-perfect through ball to assist the fourth goal.
Jude Bellingham — 8: Involved in both of the opening goals—making the run into the box for the first goal and outstretching a leg that prompted the ball onto Rodrygo for the first-time finish. The second Rodrygo goal was courtesy of a Bellingham backheel pass.
Rodrygo — 8.5: Scored two and created the third for Mbappé. An all-around performance where Rodrygo’s individual quality stood out and made the difference.
Vinicius Junior — 8.5: Scored a brilliant goal after a perfectly weighted pass from Luka Modric. Managed a second after Fede Valverde fed him down the middle. Now has 7 goals in 6 UCL matches. Also played the cross-field pass to an onrushing Rodrygo, which led to the first goal.
Kylian Mbappé — 7: Not as electric of a performance as witnessed over the weekend but managed to get on the scoresheet after a heavy dribble fell to the Salzburg goalkeeper’s feet. Mbappé then dispossessed the keeper to score one of the easiest goals of his career.
Substitutes
David Alaba — 7: Dual substitution with Arda Güler, replacing Dani Ceballos and shifting Raúl Asencio to right back while Fede moved into midfield. Just like in his previous cameo, he showed off his long-range passing and weight of pass over the top of the Salzburg defense.
Arda Guler — 6: Replaced Jude Bellingham with 30 minutes to make his mark. Worked hard off the ball to make an impact and probed through central spaces on the pitch. Good delivery from set pieces.
Brahim — N/A: Nearly scored with a well-taken volley from the right side of the box.
Endrick — N/A: Some quick touches and deft flicks but little else to note.
Jacobo Ramon — N/A: Replaced Toni Rüdiger in the 77th minute to make his Champions League debut.
