Real Madrid 1-4 AFC Ajax: 5 Hits and Flops

#3 Flop: Nacho Fernandez

Nacho's night went from bad to worse after a late sending off for needless foul

With Sergio Ramos' absence a significant one at the heart of Real's backline, they needed someone to lead by example and show the necessary composure to guide their passage into the quarter-finals.

Varane tried, but Ajax's quick-fire start to proceedings only worsened tensions at the back for the hosts. Nacho, sent off during their 2-1 win over Levante on February 24, started again here and found himself culpable in the build-up to both goals.

For the first, he let Tadic leave him behind effortlessly in a foot race. It was his pass, under no pressure, which broke the deadlock. As for Neres' goal, he should have anticipated the danger directly after Tadic's skill on Casemiro gave him free rein to gallop forward and pressured the Serbian into making a pass he would have been uncomfortable completing. Instead, he was caught ball-watching and within seconds, Real were 2-0 down.

His evening was typified when, at 4-1 down, he angrily scythed down van de Beek with a high studs-up challenge down the midfielder's ankle. A straight red card, second dismissal in successive games and the 29-year-old Spaniard endured another night to forget.