Player Ratings: Elche 1-2 Real Madrid – 2021/22

Despite a nervy final few minutes, Real Madrid secure all three points away to Elche thanks to Vinicius Junior’s double.

Vinicius opened the scoring for Real Madrid with 22 minutes on the clock. Mariano Diaz teed up the Brazilian nicely with Vini making no mistake and burying smartly past Kiko Casilla. The second half was pretty evenly balanced…up until Raul Guti was sent off for a reckless sliding tackle on Toni Kroos.

Vinicus and Real Madrid’s second came with 15 minutes left to play. The Brazilian flicked the ball beautifully over the onrushing Casilla to all but secure the three points. Real Madrid had to make life difficult for themselves and just as the game looked to finish with a comfortable lead and a clean sheet, Casemiro made a lax pass which was intercepted by Pere Milla, who made no mistake and slotted cleanly past Courtois to make it 2-1.

The win sees Real Madrid move back to the top of LaLiga on goal difference. Our player ratings:

Starting XI:

Thibaut Courtois: 7/10

A comfortable afternoon for the Belgian. Courtois made a big save in the first-half to deny Elche but wasn’t tested much at all after that. Nothing he could do to stop Pere Milla’s late goal.

Lucas Vazquez: 7/10

Eder Militao: 7.5/10

Continued his good form with another convincing performance. The Brazilian looked comfortable on the ball and wasn’t troubled by Elche’s attackers.

David Alaba: 7/10

A couple of nervy moments for the Austrian in the first-half but the centre-back turned things around and looked a lot more comfortable as the game went on.

Marcelo: 7/10

Casemiro: 5/10

Toni Kroos: 8/10

Continued where he left off against Osasuna. The German controlled proceedings and barely put a foot wrong finishing the game with a 97% pass success rate (87/90).

Rodrygo Goes: N/A

Mariano Diaz: 7.5/10

Vinicius Jr: 9/10

Substitutions:

Marco Asensio: 6/10 – Came on to replace the injured Rodrygo. The Spaniard can’t be faulted for trying but he didn’t add much to Madrid’s game.

Daniel Carvajal: 6/10 – Came on to replace Lucas Vazquez. Good to see the Spaniard being eased back to avoid any injuries.

Ferland Mendy: 6/10 – Came on to replace Marcelo. The Frenchman had barely anything to do with the game practically done.

Eden Hazard: N/A – Came on to replace Vinicius with very little time remaining.

Eduardo Camavinga: N/A – Came on to replace Luka Modric late on.