UEFA selects Courtois as best player in Champions League semi-finals

Real Madrid's Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been named UEFA's player of the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals.

Courtois stood up for Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti's side against Manchester City. His saves prevented Pep Guardiola's side from extending their lead and kept Madrid's side in with a chance as they took advantage down the stretch to force extra time with a late brace from Brazilian Rodrygo Goes.

A goal from France's Karim Benzema in extra time sealed a 3-1 win and Real Madrid's place in the final in Paris, where they will face Liverpool.

 

May 5, 2022

Courtois, who was named man of the match at the Santiago Bernabeu, is the second goalkeeper to receive this award in the Champions League after Giorgos Athanasiadis of Greece, goalkeeper of Sheriff Tiraspol, who received the award for his great performance against Real Madrid on the second day of the group stage, in which the Moldavian team surprised with a 1-2 victory.

In the first leg, the best player was Spain international Thiago Alcantara, Liverpool midfielder, for his performance at Anfield against Villarreal.

The only players who have repeated this season have been Frenchmen Kylian Mbappe (PSG), on matchday six of the group stage and in the first leg of the round of 16, and Benzema, in the second leg of the round of 16 and the first leg of the quarter-finals.

Courtois heads the matchday squad. He is joined by Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City), Fabinho (Liverpool), Francis Coquelin (Villarreal), Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Rodrygo Goes (Real Madrid), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) and Luis Diaz (Liverpool).

 

May 5, 2022