La Liga 2021/22, Matchday 34 – 30/4/22
Real Madrid wrapped up the 21/22 La Liga title with a spectacular 4-0 win at home against Espanyol.
REAL MADRID – 4 (Rodrygo 33, 43, Asensio 55, Benzema 81)
Thibaut Courtois, 7 – Rarely called upon, dealt with any threat comfortably.
Lucas Vázquez, 7 – Crucial goalline clearance in the second half.
Casemiro, 6 – Booked and substituted, but didn’t have too many issues out of position.
Jesús Vallejo, 7 – Composed display with well-executed challenges.
Marcelo, 8 – Set up Rodrygo’s first. Didn’t face much problem defensively.
Eduardo Camavinga, 7 – Provided the assist to Asensio’s goal.
Luka Modrić, 7 – Regularly involved in creative plays, and won the ball to start the counter-attack for the third goal.
Dani Ceballos, 9 – Best player on the pitch. A complete performance in all facets of the game. A crucial challenge in his own box in the first half and a superb progressive dribble in the second half the highlights.
Marco Asensio, 7 – Good finish on his weaker foot to score Madrid’s third.
Mariano Díaz, 5 – Missed a few chances early on, even hitting the post, but won the ball back for the second goal. Nearly scored an own goal. Subbed off at the hour mark.
Rodrygo Goes, 9 – Two very well-taken goals in the first half. Was offside and interfered with the goalkeeper’s vision that ruled out Isco’s goal in the second half.
Substitutes:
Toni Kroos, 6
Karim Benzema, 8 – Set up Isco for a goal that was ruled out, before scoring himself.
Isco, 7 – Dazzled in his half hour stint, scoring a brilliant goal that was ruled out for offside.
Vinícius Jr, 7 – Set up Benzema for Madrid’s fourth.
Mario Gila, 6
ESPANYOL – 0
Diego López, 5 – Could do very little about any of the goals.
Aleix Vidal, 5 – Could not deal with Rodrygo and Marcelo’s combination. Advanced well, getting off the first shot that tested Courtois.
Sergi Gómez, 5
Fernando Calero, 4
Leandro Cabrera, 5
Óscar Melendo, 4 – Poor game, no impact whatsoever.
Yangel Herrera, 3 – Completely dominated by Real Madrid’s midfield. Was caught napping by Mariano who dispossessed him, eventually leading to Madrid’s second goal.
Sergi Darder, 4
Tonny Vilhena, 6 – Involved in Espanyol’s bright moments in the first half with a lively display on the left flank. Faded away as the game progressed and was subbed off.
Javier Puado, 5 – One powerful shot to force a diving Courtois’ stop was his only notable contribution.
Raúl de Tomás, 6 – Bright in patches but unproductive.
Substitutes:
Manu Morlanes, 4
Wu Lei, 5
Fran Mérida, 6
David López, 5
Dídac Vilà, 5
