Real Madrid player ratings as Cristiano Ronaldo produces captain's performance but Karim Benzema is star with an 8

Here, we rate Zinedine Zidane’s side after the 4-0 win.

REAL MADRID (4-4-2)

Keylor Navas 8 – David De Gea is set to sign a new deal with Manchester United and Real should simply shrug their shoulders at the news. Navas is grossly underappreciated. In the first half he made three saves – the most at home this season – and two were crucial in denying a gallant Alaves.

Dani Carvajal 6 – Motored down the right wing all game and displayed some silky dribbling skills in the second half. Did leave the right side a little exposed in the first half with his position so high up the pitch but was comfortable after the break.

Raphael Varane 7 – Positionally the Frenchman can still be caught out but his speed across the pitch to atone for any error is simply bonkers. Led by example at the back and kept a clean sheet. Can’t ask for much more.

Nacho 6 – Struggled when the visitors countered with pace in the first half. Looks a little a burnt out which is no surprise considering the amount of minutes he’s put in this season.

Theo Hernandez 7 – Good defensive instincts when he’s in the further two-thirds of the pitch. Still lacks the confidence when anything is near his own box but he was committed and made some tidy challenges. Almost grabbed his first Madrid goal with a Bale-style slalom into the box before his effort was cleared off the line.

Casemiro 7 – Made a monstrous six interceptions and he’s thriving playing as the No8 with his midfield partner Kovacic deeper as the No6. He hasn’t been adding much to Real’s build-up play this season but operating further up were his mistakes can be covered has brought the best from him.

Mateo Kovacic 8 – Luka who? Modric’s injury was a concern but Real fans shouldn’t worry too much because his 23-year-old Croatian heir is showing superb form since coming into the starting XI. Another display hallmarked by a fantastic workrate, technique and composure.

Lucas Vazquez 8 – One of the few players who was crucial in both phases of play. BBC will get all the headlines but he was a crucial link in attack and showed tremendous desire working back the opposite way. Got another assist to set-up Ronaldo – his 10th of the season – and the 26-year-old is enjoying a stellar campaign.

Gareth Bale 7 – Connected beautifully with an overhead kick attempt in the first half which just went wide and of course the Welsh wizard took his goal well, earning a penalty late on, too. The most impressive aspect of his game was his work rate and responsibility to carry the attack. He had 86 touches in the game, only Carvajal (90) had more.

Cristiano Ronaldo 7 – Rolled the defender expertly before fiercely finishing with his ‘weaker’ left foot to open the scoring and then elegantly added his second from a Vazquez pull back. Clinical performance from El Capitano who has now scored in all three games he’s been Madrid skipper.

Karim Benzema 8 – Where are the critics now? Began the game in typical Benzema fashion by losing his footing to slice an ugly effort wide when one v one. Then produced a miss of the season contender from two-yards out only to have his blushes saved by the offside flag. But two assists – the first for Ronaldo in particular was world class – and seven key passes justifies Zidane’s faith in him. Took his penalty well, too, but perhaps he is far better at making goals than scoring them.

SUBSTITUTES

Dani Ceballos 6 – Arrived for Kovacic with 20 minutes remaining to a big cheer after the debacle over his 29-second cameo against Leganes.

Marcos Llorente N/A – A late substitute for Casemiro.