Player Ratings: Mbappe Shines as Real Madrid and Spurs Edge Wins

Player ratings were at the heart of some thrilling football action this week, as stars like Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland led their teams to vital victories. Champions League openers, Premier League clashes, and La Liga routs delivered drama, late goals, and a few costly errors.

Player Ratings Highlight Mbappe’s Nerves of Steel in Madrid Win

Player ratings were crucial as Real Madrid launched their Champions League quest with a hard-fought 2-1 triumph over Marseille. Kylian Mbappe, calm under pressure, converted two penalties to secure the win after Dani Carvajal’s reckless red card left Los Blancos with ten men. The evening was mixed for Madrid, with Trent Alexander-Arnold suffering an injury setback, but Mbappe’s cool finishing proved decisive as the Spanish giants began their campaign in pursuit of European redemption.

Tottenham Squeeze Past Villarreal Thanks to Defensive Blunder

Tottenham managed a 1-0 home win over Villarreal in the Champions League, although player ratings revealed it was far from a dominant performance. In Thomas Frank’s managerial debut in Europe’s top competition, Spurs were fortunate to take three points after a comical own goal settled the match. The result was a relief, but the ratings underscored that improvement is necessary if Tottenham hope to progress from the group stage.

Arsenal’s Super-Subs Light Up Bilbao Opener

Player ratings were boosted by Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, who came off the bench to inspire a 2-0 victory against Athletic Club. Despite their high-profile attack initially struggling to break down the hosts’ defense, Martinelli and Trossard—both linked with possible moves away—delivered crucial late strikes, reminding Mikel Arteta of their value at a pivotal moment in their Champions League campaign.

La Liga Brilliance: Barcelona Hammer Valencia

Barcelona returned to form in La Liga with a 6-0 demolition of Valencia. The player ratings were sky-high for Fermin Lopez, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski, each of whom scored twice. This five-star display helped La Blaugrana bounce back emphatically, as their attacking depth proved too much for Valencia to handle.

Manchester Derby: Haaland and Foden Dominate Player Ratings

Manchester City reclaimed bragging rights with a commanding 3-0 derby win over Manchester United. Erling Haaland and Phil Foden were the standout performers in the player ratings, with Foden opening the scoring and Haaland netting a brace. City’s relentless attack left United reeling, compounding their disappointing start to the Premier League season and exposing the frailties of Luke Shaw and Benjamin Sesko in particular.

Liverpool and Chelsea in Late Drama

Mohamed Salah delivered late again for Liverpool, converting a 95th-minute penalty to overcome Burnley and secure another dramatic win. For Chelsea, Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo appeared to have clinched a derby victory over Brentford, but a late equalizer from Fabio Carvalho forced the Blues to settle for a 2-2 draw. The player ratings highlighted both the resilience and weaknesses of these Premier League giants.

Women’s Super League Stars Step Up

In the WSL, Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton was pivotal in maintaining her team’s perfect start, making several crucial saves before the champions pulled through. Manchester United’s Melvine Malard was unstoppable in a high-scoring win, while Arsenal’s second-half surge against West Ham, led by inspired substitutions, secured all three points. Player ratings in these matches reflected the growing quality and depth in women’s football.

International Stage: Ronaldo, Son, and More Make Headlines

Player ratings on the international stage were shaped by Cristiano Ronaldo’s continued scoring exploits and Joao Cancelo’s late heroics for Portugal. Spain’s Mikel Merino notched a hat-trick as La Roja thrashed Turkey, and England’s new-look side ran riot in Belgrade, with Noni Madueke and others getting on the scoresheet. Meanwhile, South Korea’s Son Heung-min upstaged the USMNT, and Messi’s brace marked a potential home sendoff with Argentina.

Opinion: Player Ratings Tell the Story Behind the Scoreline

The week’s football action proved that player ratings are more than mere numbers—they capture the subtle shifts in momentum, the key moments of brilliance, and the costly lapses that define big games. Whether it’s Mbappe’s composure, Haaland’s finishing, or the impact of substitutes like Martinelli, individual performances shape the narrative of every match. For fans and analysts alike, following player ratings is essential to understanding football’s ever-evolving drama. Visit for more news and deep dives into the world’s beautiful game.