Real Madrid Player Ratings vs Leganes: Benzema star of the night, Rodrygo the new kid on the block

A five star performance from Real Madrid saw them get back to winning ways at the Santiago Bernabeu against a clueless Leganes side.

Real Madrid started the game brightly as the Santiago Bernabeu was lit up when 18-year old Rodrygo Goes struck first blood seven minutes into the game. The onslaught continued with Karim Benzema again finding Toni Kroos who came up with a unique flick to double the scoreline in a couple of minutes.

Keeping the high tempo Real Madrid were awarded a penalty when Eden Hazard was brought down in the penalty area by Leganes’ custodian Juan Soriano. Sergio Ramos stepped up to take the spot-kick and Soriano came up with a terrific save but it was ruled out by VAR as Ramos got second time lucky.

Benzema finally found the back of the net himself when Real Madrid were awarded another penalty as Kenneth Omeruo brought down Luka Modric in the box. The final nail on the coffin was put by Luka Jovic, who calmly slotted past Soriano making it 5-0 for the hosts, taking Zinedine Zidane’s men to the second spot in the league table, just a point adrift of leaders Barcelona.

Here’s how we rated the performances of the Real Madrid stars on Wednesday night;

Thibaut Courtois – 7/10

Courtois did not have much to do for the entirety of the game but whenever called upon the Belgian custodian did justice to his name. He came up with a couple of saves.

Dani Carvajal – 7.5/10

Carvajal was solid defensively but his main weapon was venturing forward and drilling those crosses from the right flank. He found bodies in the box consistently and created a lot of trouble for Luis Cembranos’ men.

Raphael Varane – 7/10

Did not have much to do defensively but he kept his lines pretty well and did not allow the Leganes any space in the final third. He also had a golden opportunity to score when Eden Hazard squared it to him but the Frenchman was late to react.

Sergio Ramos – 7/10

It was not really a test for the Real Madrid defence as Leganes hardly posed any threat with their attacking instincts. Ramos got himself on the scoresheet with a cheeky penalty. However, Ramos got dispossessed a few times especially in the second half and had his task cut out in keeping Martin Braithwaite at bay.

Marcelo – 8/10

When in form there is hardly any left-back better than the Brazilian and against Leganes he was excellent. Marcelo haunted the Leganes defence time and again with his overlapping runs. It was from his cross Benzema created the first chance for Rodrygo and he was also involved in the buildup for the penalty which Luka Modric earned later in the second half.

Federico Valverde – 8/10

The 21-year old Uruguayan adds the right amount of balance in Real Madrid’s midfield. Valverde’s presence allows Kroos to venture forward and create more chances for the Los Blancos. Valverde, along with his partners in midfield, dominated possession as he also dropped deep and supported Casemiro in recycling possession.

Valverde had the chance of scoring in the first half when Rodrygo drilled in a great ball from the right flank which the midfielder slotted wide off target. Gradually has become a fan favourite of the Real Madrid faithful and considering Modric’s decline, Valverde can be the missing piece of the puzzle for Zidane’s men in midfield.

Casemiro – 8/10

Probably one of the most consistent players in this Real Madrid side, Casemiro went about his business in the heart of the field with aplomb. The Brazilian was tireless in his approach as he dropped deep and recycled possession for Los Blancos initiating the buildups.

Toni Kroos – 8/10

The presence of Fede Valverde allows the German midfielder to venture forward and that strategy has borne fruit for Zidane as Kroos has come up with two goals in consecutive fixtures. The 29-year old controlled the tempo of the game and dominated possession throughout the game, before being replaced by Modric.

Rodrygo Goes – 8.5/10

The Brazilian youngster does things way beyond his age and him scoring in the first seven minutes of his La Liga start speaks volumes about his talent and hunger for goals. Rodrygo has shown great intelligence in his movements and has got at the end of the things time and again.

Karim Benzema – 9/10

The Frenchman has time and again proven his quality and this time he came up with two great runs and delivered two excellent assists within the first quarter of the game. Benzema kept doing his good work and ran at defenders creating space for others to exploit.

The 31-year old had several opportunities to find the back of the net himself only to end up second best in all his efforts. It was only in the 65th-minute mark when Modric won a penalty and Benzema was given the opportunity to score and he made no mistake.

Eden Hazard – 8.5/10

The Belgian winger started brightly running rings around the Leganes defenders as they struggled to deal with his express pace. A through ball from Casemiro saw Hazard get in behind the opposition defence as the Leganes goalkeeper came out and only managed to bring down Hazard in the penalty area awarding a spot-kick to the hosts.

SUBSTITUTES

Luka Modric – 7/10

Made a thunderous impact coming on as a substitute as he was brought down illegally in the penalty area which handed Benzema the opportunity score a well-deserved goal.

Isco – 6.5/10

The Spaniard was brought in for Valverde to add more energy to the midfield. Isco did exactly that, he attacked from the get-go and created chances for his fellow forwards.

Luka Jovic – 7/10

The summer signing from Eintracht Frankfurt finally got his name on the scoresheet in the dying embers of the game. His first goal was ruled out due to offside but the youngster kept up his good work and found the net eventually.