da dobrowin： The Englishman and Croatian turned in memorable performances to send Los Blancos to the top of La Liga
da bwin： Luka Modric turned in a vintage performance, and Jude Bellingham served as an ideal sidekick as Real Madrid comfortably handled a struggling Villarreal side. The two grabbed a goal apiece, while Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz also found the net to round off a complete attacking showing and 4-1 win.
The first Madrid goal was a blend of youth and experience. 38-year-old Modric set up 20-year-old La Liga top scorer Bellingham with a wonderful cross, who put a header back across the goalkeeper for a 1-0 lead.
Los Blancos added a second shortly before half time, when Rodrygo turned home from short range after a goalmouth scramble. Villarreal grabbed a goal of their own early in the second half, with Jose Morales darting behind the defence and finishing past a scrambling Andriy Lunin.
But this was otherwise a comfortable night for Madrid. Diaz scored the third after a winding run, before Modric got his deserved goal — a composed finish into the bottom corner to turn a victory into a rout.
They won't all be this easy, but Los Blancos got the job done, and are top of the table on Sunday night.
GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from the Santiago Bernabeu…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Andriy Lunin (5/10):
Got a hand on Morales' goal, but hard to say he should have saved it. Nothing to do, otherwise.
Lucas Vazquez (6/10):
Another solid performance on the right. Full of industry, did his job defensively, and put in a few dangerous crosses.
Antonio Rudiger (6/10):
Good at times, shaky at others. Always up for an aerial duel, and comfortable on the ball, but he got his positioning wrong on Villarreal's goal.
David Alaba (5/10):
Enjoyed a solid start to the game, but was removed in the first half with a knee injury. Looked a nasty one.
Ferland Mendy (6/10):
An agreeable first half. Put in a few nice tackles and was tidy on the ball. Removed at the break with a reported leg injury.
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Toni Kroos (7/10):
Kept things ticking. Sprayed the ball around, linked up play. Hardly misplaced a pass.
Federico Valverde (7/10):
Defended well, ate up ground, and played a few nice diagonals. Workmanlike, rather than creative — but valuable nonetheless.
Jude Bellingham (8/10):
Opened the scoring with a well-taken header. Created chances in bunches, unlucky not to grab an assist after a wonderful flick to Rodrygo. He's pretty good at this sport.
Luka Modric (9/10):
A ridiculous pass set up Bellingham's opener. Clipped the bar from outside the box. Spent most of his time dictating things in the final third. Grabbed a much-deserved goal to round off a masterful performance.
Attack
Brahim Diaz (7/10):
A reasonably quiet performance until he scored a wonderful goal. He seems to have kept Joselu firmly out of the lineup, at this point.
Rodrygo (8/10):
On the scoresheet again thanks to a tidy finish. He has nine in his last 11, and is racking up the assists, too. Finally seems to be living up to his sky-high potential.
Subs & Manager
Nacho (5/10):
Replaced the injured Alaba in the first half. Lost track of Morales for the goal, and spent most of his time picking fights. Not exactly convincing.
Fran Garcia (5/10):
His effort can't be faulted, but he lacked quality on the ball. A viable backup, at this point.
Dani Ceballos (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Aurelien Tchouameni (N/A):
A timely return from a foot injury.
Joselu (N/A):
A brief run out. He's way down the pecking order now.
Carlo Ancelotti (8/10):
Alaba's injury was the only thing that will concern Ancelotti here. His team were controlled throughout, scored four good goals, and gifted Villarreal their only real chance. He made the right decisions, too, withdrawing Bellingham when things were getting chippy, and letting Modric play all 90. They go to bed top of the table, which isn't bad at all.