Real Madrid will be returning home to Madrid from Vitoria with all the three points in their bag from La Liga Matchday 20. The Whites emerged victorious by four goals to one with Karim Benzema scoring a brace.
Casemiro opened the scoring on the night for Madrid with a goal in the 15th minute. Karim Benzema and Eden Hazard then scored in the space of 5 minutes to effectively win the match in the first half itself.
Deportivo Alaves tried to stage a comeback in the second half as Joselu scored from a set piece situation around the hour mark. However, Benzema buried the game with his second goal of the night shortly after that.
Here’s how Real Madrid rated from their away victory against Alaves.
Real Madrid Player Ratings Against Alaves
Real Madrid Player Ratings Against Alaves
GK – Thibaut Courtois – 7/10
Courtois would be disappointed conceding the goal in the second half. He had a brilliant game, nevertheless.
RB – Lucas Vasquez – 7/10
Vasquez was industrious down the right-hand side. The makeshift full-back had a lively evening in Vitoria.
CB – Raphael Varane – 8/10
A good solid performance from Varane leading the Madrid defensive line in the absence of Sergio Ramos.
CB – Eder Militao – 6/10
Militao did not have the best of evenings against Alaves. He conceded the foul and was also beaten in the air by Joselu for Alaves’ first goal of the night.
LB – Ferland Mendy – 7/10
A commanding performance from Mendy who was replacing Marcelo in the starting line-up. Mendy won possession on several occasions and was composed in possession of the ball.
CM – Luka Modric – 8/10
Stellar night from Modric, and he was exactly what Real Madrid needed from their Croatian wizard. Modric assisted Benzema’s second goal of the night and played a major role in the build-up to the night’s second goal. Alvaro Odriozola replaced Modric in the second half.
CM – Casemiro – 8/10
The Brazilian tank had an amazing evening against Deportivo Alaves. He scored the opening goal of the night assisted by midfield companion, Toni Kroos. Casemiro shielded the Madrid back-line with ease even with Ramos missing.
CM – Toni Kroos – 8/10
Just the evening Toni Kroos would have wanted. The German was cool as ice in midfield and barely put a foot wrong. The midfielder’s crisp passing was a joy to watch.
RW – Marco Asensio – 7/10
Asensio was lively down the right-hand side before making way for Isco in the second half. The Spaniard linked up beautifully on a couple of occasions with Modric and Vasquez.
ST – Karim Benzema – 9/10
A perfect night for Karim Benzema who could have scored as many as four goals on the night. Nevertheless, he finished two, which ensured Real Madrid the three points in the absence of Zinedine Zidane on the touchline.
LW – Eden Hazard – 8/10
The Belgian had a vibrant evening and showed glimpses of his former self. Hazard was precise and accurate upfront as he dummied a ball from Modric which perfectly came to Karim Benzema who finished outstandingly. Hazard himself neatly tucked away a goal in the first half, leaving the hosts with a mountain to climb.
Substitutes
LW – Vincius Jr – 7/10
Replaced Eden Hazard around the 60-minute mark. A lot more was expected out of Vinicius down the left-hand side. Vinicius failed to leave an impact on the game.
LB – Alvaro Odriozola – 6/10
The Spaniard came off the bench to replace Luka Modric as Lucas Vasquez got shifted to midfield to accommodate Odriozola.
CM – Isco – 6/10
Did not have a significant impact on the game post coming on to replace Asensio.