Dani Ceballos was Real Madrid’s hero by firing home a late free-kick to give his team a scarcely deserved victory at his old club Real Betis.
There were plenty of interesting names on the Madrid teamsheet as Santiago Solari made some bold decisions, but not everyone was able to impress.
Check out our player ratings from an exciting game at the Benito Villamarin.
MADRID XI
Navas 6. Couldn’t close his legs quick enough to keep out Canales’s low leveller. No other real saves to make.
Varane 8. An outstanding display from the Frenchman, who appears to be getting back to his best following a poor start to the season.
Ramos 8. Booked just before the break but he didn’t put another foot wrong, reading the game superbly to deny Betis.
Nacho 7. Lined up in a back three and produced a mature display, getting in the right position to clear the danger.
Carvajal 7. A dynamic performance up and down the right wing, offering attacking intent and defensive diligence.
Modric 6. Opened the scoring with a brilliant left footed strike, but had little impact otherwise as Madrid found themselves dominated.
Casemiro 5. Was outnumbered and overrun in the second half, until he broke forward to win the free-kick for the winner.
Valverde 6. Surprise selection in midfield. Covered lots of ground and worked hard but wasted a good chance by hesitating.
Reguilon 6. Preferred to Marcelo in the wingback role. Did a solid job before being replaced as Madrid switched to 4-4-2.
Vinicius 7. A real bright spark in the first half. posing constant problems for the home team with his pace. Faded later on.
Benzema 6. Linked play smoothly to launch counter attacks but had to come off at half time with a hand injury.
SUBS
Cristo 5. Introduced at the break in place of Benzema for his league debut, but offered little as his team was on the back foot.
Ceballos 7. Came on for the final 20 minutes against his former team to furious jeers and drilled home the winning free-kick.
Brahim 6. New signing from Manchester City came on to make his debut with a brief late outing down the right wing.
BETIS XI
Lopez 6. Made a regulation low save from Vinicius. Positioning was suspect for the winning goal, getting himself stuck in no-man’s land behind the wall.
Barragan 7. A steady attacking threat down the right. Also produced a superb recovery challenge to deny Valverde.
Bartra 7. Maintained his composure and made some important interventions, also helping drive his team forward in possession.
Mandi 6. Steady and solid in the centre of defence, although troubled by Benzema’s movement in the first half.
Francis 6. Usually a right back, he lined up in the left and looked uncomfortable. Replaced midway through the second half.
Canales 8. Regularly cut inside from the right to attack the box. Curled a couple of efforts wide and bagged the equaliser.
Lo Celso 7. Initially struggled to impose himself but grew into the game and delivered a lovely assist to Canales.
Carvalho 7. The midfield fulcrum for Betis, controlling the game in the second half but committed the foul leading the winner.
Guardado 7. Played on the left rather than his usual central position, but came inside to crash a sumptuous volley just wide.
Joaquin 7. Linked midfield with attack and created danger, playing a big role in increasing his team’s tempo after the break.
Sanabria 5. Forced to feed on scraps as his team struggled to penetrate the penalty area. Taken off near the end.
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Tello 6. Came on down the left wing for the latter stages and offered more directness. Fired a hopeful volley well wide.
Boudebouz 5. Introduced for Guardado inside the final ten minutes, had little chance to contribute.
Moron 5. A late entrant with no time to make a meaningful impact.
