Despite Celta Vigo looking the better team at many stages of the game, Real Madrid took all three points at Balaídos.
REAL MADRID
Thibaut Courtois: 7
Dani Carvajal: 5 – Struggled to deal with Galán’s overlaps.
Éder Militão: 6 – Conceded the penalty after Paciência’s header hit his outstretched arm.
David Alaba: 6
Ferland Mendy: 6
Aurélien Tchouaméni: 8.5 – With all eyes on him after Casemiro’s departure, the young Frenchman produced a superb display. Excellent defensively, winning back possession for Real Madrid’s third and fourth goals.
Luka Modrić: 9 – A magical goal from outside the box in the first half. A perfect throughball to assist Vinícius’ goal in the second 45. Went off to a standing ovation from the Balaídos faithful.
Eduardo Camavinga: 7
Fede Valverde: 6.5 – Made up for a poor first half by scoring Madrid’s fourth.
Karim Benzema: 7 – Scored from the spot. Efficient in link-up as always. Won a second penalty in the second half, which was missed by Hazard.
Vinícius Jr.: 7.5 – Scored Madrid’s third with a phenomenal piece of skill, dancing past Marchesín. Assisted Valverde’s goal.
SUBSTITUTES:
Antonio Rüdiger: 6.5 – Orchestrated a counter-attack with a marauding run into the opposition half, which resulted in Madrid winning their second penalty.
Lucas Vázquez: 6
Dani Ceballos: 6
Marco Asensio: 5.5
Eden Hazard: 6 – Looked sharp but missed from the spot late on.
CELTA VIGO
Agustín Marchesín: 6.5 – Completely outfoxed by Vinícius for Madrid’s third, but prevented a worse scoreline by saving Hazard’s penalty.
Hugo Mallo: 6 – Bright going forward, linking up very well on the right flank. Ultimately had no answer to Vinícius’ directness.
Joseph Aidoo: 5
Unai Núñez: 5
Javi Galán: 7 – Superb offensively, always a potent outlet on the left and a regular creator with his sharp movement.
Renato Tapia: 4.5 – Committed a handball to give away the first penalty and was hapless as Madrid ran through the Celta midfield with lightning transitions.
Fran Beltrán: 6
Óscar Rodríguez: 6.5 – Was involved in some wonderful combination play in the first half.
Franco Cervi: 6.5
Iago Aspas: 7 – Scored Celta’s only goal of the game from the spot.
Gonçalo Paciência: 6 – Was a nuisance at times with his physicality, forcing the penalty, but wasteful with his shooting opportunities.
SUBSTITUTES:
Carles Pérez: 6
Gabriel de Vega: 6
Luca de la Torre: 6
GSFN
