Karim Benzema scored twice as Real Madrid recorded a 4-2 thumping of hapless Espanyol, and the classy forward was the pick of the bunch for Santi Solari’s impressive team.
But the Frenchman delivered by no means the only eye-catching personal performance as Los Blancos waltzed to an exceptionally comfortable victory only spoiled by a red card for Raphael Varane and a possible injury for Sergio Ramos.
Let’s see how all 28 players performed with our player ratings.
ESPANYOL
D Lopez 6. Blameless for the goals he conceded and produced some decent stops, especially a real stunner to deny Carvajal.
J Lopez 6. Succeeded in containing Vinicius pretty well and got forward when he could, but was erratic in possession.
L Lopez 5. Making only his second league appearance, the young centre back looked out of his depth against Benzema’s smooth movement.
Hermoso 5. Reported Real transfer target won’t have added much to his market value with a ponderous performance.
Vila 4. Had a tough time up against Vazquez, and unable to get forward. Misery spared when he was subbed out.
Roca 5. Yellow carded early for tugging back Kroos and that set the tone. Regularly lost possession but did assist Rosales’s goal.
Darder 3. Looking unfit and disinterested, he was a liability in the centre of the field. Amazing he lasted 75 minutes.
A Lopez 5. Young debutant looked confident in possession but was given a runaround off the ball. Talented but raw.
Baptistao 5. Tested Courtois with an angled strike and blasted home from the resulting corner, but little other contribution.
Iglesias 4. Plenty of endeavour and willing running, but made little impact other than a long-range shot over the top.
Garcia 6. Showed incisive attacking intent and never stopped working hard. Booked for barrelling over Ramos.
SUBS
Rosales 7. Entered the fray to replace Didac and tightened up the defence as well as blasting home a memorable volley.
Piatti 6. Came on for Baptistao after Real’s fourth goal and had an impact by running through to provoke Varane’s red card.
Melendo 6. Diminutive playmaker belatedly introduced for the woeful Darder and produced some creative touches.
REAL MADRID
Courtois 6. Showed a strong right hand to deny Baptistao and had little other involvement. Powerless for the goals.
Carvajal 7. Made a couple of strong defensive interventions in the early stages and always a willing runner down the right.
Varane 6. Spoiled an otherwise impeccable performance by earning a deserved straight red card for hauling back Piatti.
Ramos 7. Produced a magnificent header for the second goal but was later injured by Garcia and replaced at the break.
Reguilon 7. Did a very steady job at left-back and later moved to the centre of defence following the dismissal of Varane.
Casemiro 7. Patrolled the centre of the pitch with authority, regularly regaining possession and driving his team forward.
Modric 8. Assisted the first two goals with a parried shot and a pinpoint cross, and delivered some sublime touches.
Kroos 7. Back from injury and straight into his usual smooth routine – pinging, prodding and powering passes all over the place.
Vazquez 7. Made a several dangerous thrusts down the right, also doing a diligent job in defence against Garcia.
Benzema 9. Slotted home the opener, curled home a superb second and linked play wonderfully from his false nine role.
Vinicius 6. Threatened with an early shot and teed up Benzema’s second but was largely subdued and replaced by Bale.
SUBS
Nacho 6. Came on for injured skipper Ramos at half-time and was solid, heading off the line to deny Garcia.
Bale 7. Returned from injury midway through the second half and scored a brilliant goal within two minutes.
Marcelo 6. Came on for the final 15 minutes and showed unusual restraint as his ten-men team closed out the game.
