If the Lions were going to beat the All Blacks it was either going to take a flawless performance from Warren Gatland's side or a flawed one from the New Zealanders.
We certainly got the latter but for large parts of the game, it looked like the Lions would not be able to take advantage of the All Blacks going down the 14 players after just 24 minutes and also Beauden Barrett having a nightmare night with the boot.
The final 20 minutes of the game saw the Lions finally make their numerical advantage count as they went from 18-9 down to lead 24-21 as Toby Faletau and Conor Murray both touched down for tries.
Liam Williams - 6
Made mistakes but mostly due to the challenging weather conditions. Didn't get the opportunities with ball in hand which he had in the first Test. Did provide the pass which led to Toby Faletau's try.
Anthony Watson - 7
A participator in a huge moment in the game. He was on the end of a high tackle from Sonny Bill Williams for which the All Blacks centre received a red card.
After a quiet hour, he came to life with 20 minutes to go, producing a break which led to Toby Faletau's try.
Jonathan Davies - 6
Did not have the same impact as the first game.
Owen Farrell - 8
Combined well with Johnny Sexton, especially for Toby Faletau's try. Kicked well.
Elliot Daly - 6
Very alert defensively but like Williams, did not get the chances he had in Auckland.
Johnny Sexton - 7
Combined well with Owen Farrell. His restarts were superb.
Conor Murray - 8
Produced a brilliant finish for the Lions' second try. After a break by Jamie George, he saw the gap and took advantage.
Mako Vunipola - 3
Indiscipline was a problem for the Lions with Vunipola the most prominent culprit. Conceded four penalties, the final of which was also a yellow card. He was actually very lucky not to see red.
Jamie George - 8
Lineout operated well from his throws. Had a superb break which led to Conor Murray's try. Tackled very well also
Tadhg Furlong - 6
Carried strongly early on but did not have a major impact on the game.
Maro Itoje - 8
Dropped the ball in a great position after five minutes but was hugely influential afterwards, especially in defence.
Forced a superb turnover from an All Blacks maul with them in a great position after 17 minutes. Also the Lions top tackler on the night with 14.
Alun Wyn Jones - 6
Forced lineout turnover after less than three minutes. Far more influential than the first Test.
Replaced after an hour by Courtney Lawes
Sam Warburton - 6
A standout player for the Lions defensively and also stole a lineout but given that the Lions' indiscipline nearly cost them the match he had a poor game as captain, failing to control his players.
Sean O’Brien - 8
Super performance from the Leinster man both defensively and with the ball. Put in 12 tackles over the 80 minutes.
Taulupe Faletau - 8
Brilliantly finished the second half try which the Lions badly needed. Also one of the top tacklers for his side and beat more defenders than any other Lion.
Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
