Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole singled out Edouard Mendy for special praise after Chelsea booked their place in the Champions League final.
Chelsea scored twice without reply to seal a 3-1 aggregate win with Timo Werner and Mason Mount scoring at Stamford Bridge to set up an all-English final against Manchester City.
Mendy also played his role on the night, however.
The goalkeeper make a crucial stop with the second leg still goalless, reacting superbly to deny Karim Benzema from the edge of the box.
With Chelsea passing up opportunities to put the tie to bed, the former Rennes star remained sharp throughout the second-half, making another fine stop with his feet to deny the visitors before Mount’s goal four minutes from time settled the contest.
While N’Golo Kante impressed in midfield, praise was also dished out for Mendy for his role in keeping Real at bay.
Cole told BT Sport: ‘He was very good tonight, he has been well protected but when he is needed he makes the save. Credit to the people who brought him in at the time because the Kepa situation wasn’t working.
‘All great teams need a goalkeeper who pull them out of trouble now and again and that’s what he does.
‘He gets in the right place. When that back four or five gets breached, they know they have him at the back.’
Ferdinand added: ‘Probably his worst attribute is his feet but he saves the ball.
‘When I look behind me I want to know the goalkeeper behind me is going pull me out of the bag.
‘He does the basics very, very well. Every time I’ve see him he’s made a save at a crucial moment in the game.’
MORE : Rio Ferdinand fawns over N’Golo Kante performance as Chelsea beat Real Madrid
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