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

Goals from Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema earn Real Madrid a 2-1 win against Rayo at the Bernabéu.

Real Madrid got off to a quick start and looked dangerous from the get go. Eder Militao found Toni Kroos with a brilliant ball over the top before the German found Vinicius running at the Rayo defence. Vinicus passed to Marco Asensio on the right wing before the Spaniard found Kroos outside the penalty area who found the top corner with a sublime finish.

Real Madrid dominated proceedings in the first-half and Karim Benzema made sure that his team’s dominance was reflected on the scoreline. The Frenchman doubled Madrid’s lead after being found by a sensational pass from David Alaba.

Real Madrid started the second-half strongly and could’ve easily scored another 3-4 goals but Ancelotti’s men didn’t take advantage of their opportunities. This would come back to haunt them when Rayo’s second half substitute Radamel Falcao got a goal back for his side in the 77th minute. Rayo almost managed to salvage a draw out of the game in stoppage time, only for Kroos to hook clear Oscar Valentin’s shot off the line. Our player ratings:

Starting XI:

Thibaut Courtois: 7/10

Made a decent amount of saves with most of them being pretty routine stops. Not much he could do stop Falcao’s header.

Dani Carvajal: 8/10

Eder Militao: 8/10

Played a big part in Madrid’s opener with his long ball from the back. The Brazilian was solid in defence and always looked to build play from the back with his wide range of passing. Excellent display.

David Alaba: 7.5/10

Assisted Benzema’s goal with an exquisite pass and was key to Madrid’s buildup from the back. The Austrian put in a great shift but will be disappointed with the way he allowed Falcao so much space at the back post for Rayo’s equaliser.

Ferland Mendy: 7.5/10

Casemiro: 7.5/10

Toni Kroos: 9/10

A masterclass in the middle of the park. Toni Kroos oozed class as he controlled the game from midfield, registering a 93% pass success rate (71/76) and creating 2 chances. The German scored the opener for Madrid with a brilliant strike and looks to be getting better with each passing game.

Marco Asensio: 7/10

Karim Benzema: 7.5/10

Vinicius Jr: 7.5/10

Substitutions:

Eden Hazard: 6/10 – Came on to replace Benzema with little under 10 minutes to go. The Belgian looked sharp but didn’t have much time to make an impact.

Lucas Vazquez: 6/10 – Came on to replace Asensio late on. The Galician was brought on to help Carvajal in defence.

Nacho: N/A – Came on to replace Carvajal late on.