5 standout performers from 1st legs of Champions League last 16

With the first legs of the Champions League round of 16 over, theScore looks into the best individual outings from eight enthralling encounters.

Ilkay Gundogan

When Gundogan bursts through opponents' tackles and nonchalantly skips over outstretched limbs, it's easy to forget that he's suffered injuries that would've ended careers a generation ago.

"That was the second injury on my knee, so obviously my knee doesn't feel like the knee of a 20-year-old footballer who is at the beginning of his professional career," he said in January. "I need to do things to take care of everything, but especially the knee."

He should've bagged a hat-trick against FC Basel on Feb. 13, instantly turning defence into attack on numerous occasions in an unremitting display. The only thing quicker than his twists and turns is his brain, and his tactical intelligence was evident in a 4-0 away win where he appeared omnipresent.

Minutes played	93
Goals	2
Shots on target	4
Tackles	6
Take-ons completed	2

Mousa Dembele

Dembele isn't a player for highlight packages. He isn't the lad that whips in crosses for Harry Kane. Nor is he Christian Eriksen, casually flicking passes around the park like paint from the brush of an impressionist painter. Dembele is just Dembele: a unique, riveting watch who glides across the turf and makes the correct decisions again and again.

He was involved more than any player in the come-from-behind 2-2 draw at Juventus last week, not misplacing a pass until the 50th minute and cleverly drawing player towards him to clear the space for the eventual recipients of his passes.

The Belgian seemed to be suffering a premature recession to his talents this season, but has been one of Spurs' most influential players since the turn of the year.

Minutes played	93
Touches	117
Passing accuracy	95%
Tackles	4
Take-ons completed	6

Toni Kroos

Despite a performance that showcased Kroos' eye for a pass and served as an affirmation of his status as Real Madrid's most consistently creative player - even more than the bewitching Luka Modric - the German lost supporters at the Bernabeu on Feb. 14.

Unai Emery's decision to play Giovani Lo Celso in an unnatural deep position was exploited when Kroos was felled in the area by the young Argentine. It probably was a penalty, but the decorated midfielder's theatrical flop to the turf was disappointing.

But Kroos was the solitary calm head, serenely sidestepping the scrappy demolition derby that crashed out around him. Taking the ball off him was near-impossible, and he contributed both defensively and offensively in a critical 3-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain.

Minutes played	94
Touches	88
Passing accuracy	98.5%
Key passes	3
Tackles	3

Sadio Mane

Mane became the fourth Liverpool player to record a hat-trick in Champions League play after Michael Owen, Yossi Benayoun and Philippe Coutinho - a glittering achievement for the Senegalese after some patchy form.

Not only did the forward neatly round off his treble when he swept home from 25 yards, he was also involved when Roberto Firmino converted the Reds' fourth. In a state of desperation, substitute Jesus Corona tugged at Mane's shirt but, with the referee waving play on, the former Southampton man released James Milner down the left, who then squared for Firmino.

FC Porto may have played its part by playing horridly in a humiliating 5-0 home loss, but anyone who can outshine Firmino and Mohamed Salah is deserving of credit. The attack is sorted, so if Jurgen Klopp continues to tighten screws at the back, there's nothing to prevent the Reds going on a long run in this season's Champions League.

Minutes played	92
Shots on target	3
Goals	3
Take-ons completed	3
Tackles	3

Willian

Eden Hazard's deployment as a false nine was intended to bring some fluidity and unpredictability to Chelsea's attack. The effectiveness of Antonio Conte's tactical decision is up to debate. An undeniable factor in the Blues' 1-1 home draw with Barcelona, however, is that Willian was a threat throughout.

"It's one of my best performances here," the 29-year-old reflected post-match. "I almost had a hat-trick!"

It was no exaggeration. Willian pummelled both posts at Stamford Bridge, but the warning wasn't heeded by a slovenly Barcelona when he patiently stood at the top of the D waiting to receive a short corner from Cesc Fabregas and Hazard. When he gathered the ball, all that was needed was a quick shift onto his right to evade Sergio Busquets and find space. Marc-Andre ter Stegen didn't have a chance.

Chelsea deserved more, and the underrated Willian should be one of the first names on the team sheet for the return leg in Catalonia.