Player ratings as Isco stars and Ronaldo blanks in Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Espanyol

Andy West 01:08 02/10/2017
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  • Isco struck twice as champions Real Madrid beat Espanyol 2-0 to claim their first home win of the season in LaLiga on Sunday.

    The Spaniard found the net in each half as Zinedine Zidane’s men stayed within seven points of early leaders Barcelona.

    Here, we rate the best and worst performers on the night.

    REAL MADRID

    Navas 6 – Wasn’t given much to do, but did what was necessary to preserve his clean sheet.

    Achraf 6 – Very confident and composed on his debut, without offering the same attacking thrust as absent Dani Carvajal.

    Varane 7 – Always looked in control of Moreno, using his pace and strength to win his personal battle with the visiting striker.

    Ramos 6 – Made a terrible clumsy mistake which nearly gifted Espanyol an equaliser midway through the second half.

    Nacho 6 – Same as every week: safe, solid and unspectacular. A fundamental member of Zidane’s squad.

    Modric 7 – Kept everything going for his team with a typically smooth display. Makes controlling the midfield look easy.

    Casemiro 6 – Conceded possession cheaply before Moreno hit the post and was rightly booked for his standard weekly reckless challenge.

    Kroos 6 – Played well in the first half but looks to be struggling for fitness and was replaced midway through the second.

    Isco 9 – Easily the best player on the pitch. At the heart of all Madrid’s most dangerous attacking play and scored both goals to secure the points.

    Ronaldo 6 – Not his day in front of goal, but provided a great assist for Isco’s opener with a slide rule through ball.

    Asensio 7 – Heavily involved in the build-up play from his floating forward position, and did well to tee up Isco for the second goal.

    SUBS

    Vazquez 6 – Some bright attacking moments after coming on for Kroos, nearly scoring after running onto a cross from Ronaldo.

    Ceballos and Mayoral – N/A

    Isco

    Isco

    ESPANYOL

    P Lopez 7 – Made some good saves in the first half to keep his team in contention.

    S Sanchez 6 – Former Malaga man battled hard on his return to La Liga, before limping off midway through the second half.

    J Lopez 7 – Solid performance from the skipper, with some well-timed challenges and clearances.

    Hermoso 6 – Lost the run of Isco for the opening goal but otherwise impressed with a strong display in the heart of defence.

    Martin 6 – Looks a classy player at left-back and tried to play a constructive role going forward.

    Baptistao 5 – Flitted frustratingly in and out of the game and failed to make the most of his chances to damage the hosts.

    Darder 6 – Some smooth touches and shone in Espanyol’s strong spell in the early stages of the second half.

    Fuega 5 – Huffed and puffed but lacked the class to compete on an even footing with Kroos and Modric.

    Roca 5 – Failed to make an impact on the game and was replaced at half-time.

    Jurado 5 – Another man dragged off at the break, he was outplayed in midfield and looked well off the pace.

    Moreno 5 – Hit the post with a smart snapshot just before half-time and robbed Ramos to create another golden chance, but a weak overall display despite plenty of service.

    SUBS

    Navarro 6 – Showed attacking intent down the right but missed a good chance to level by shooting too close to Navas.

    Garcia 6 – Initially added some much-needed punch to the visiting team’s attack when he came on for the second half, but then faded.

    Granero 5 – Former Madrid player was applauded onto the pitch but one of his first actions was to give the ball away for the home team’s second goal.

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