Espanyol vs Real Madrid, la Liga: Player Ratings

Easy win for Real Madrid against an Espanyol side that conceded three times over just the first 20 minutes. Cristiano Ronaldo ended his scoring drought by scoring 5 goals and Bale kept up his good performances playing behind the striker with 2 assists.

Keylor Navas: 8. Very good match by the Costa Rican. The game was already decided when he brilliantly saved a header inside the six-yard box. A save that proves he's more than ready to be Real's starting goalkeeper this season after the collapse of the deal for De Gea.

Carvajal: 6. Steady display from the Spanish defender, who will have to improve a bit if he wants to keep his spot after Danilo recovers from his foot injury.

Pepe: 7. The Portuguese was back after spending Real's first two games of the season on the bench and completed a good match. Still, Varane is so good that Benítez will have a tough task deciding which one of his central defenders starts alongside Ramos.

Sergio Ramos: 6. Ramos was outpaced by Felipe Caicedo barely 5 minutes into the game but the rest of his performance was very decent.

Marcelo: 5. For once, Marcelo did not create much danger through his left flank. He did not struggle on defense and that's positive, but Real Madrid will need his creativity down the road.

Casemiro: 6. He just wasn't tested. Benítez decided to rest Toni Kroos after the FIFA break and Casemiro had a good chance to prove his worth, but Espanyol was never a match for Madrid and therefore Casemiro's defensive skills were never required. It was still a good effort.

Modric: 8. Brilliant assist for Cristiano Ronaldo to score Real's opening goal. The Croatian controlled the game just fine after that highlight.

Isco: 5. The Spanish playmaker was fairly invisible on his first chance as a starter after James' thigh injury. He might not be comfortable on that right wing.

Bale: 8. Two assists, one key pass to Ronaldo on Benzema's goal and he was also fouled inside the box for Real Madrid's second goal. He did not score, but Bale completed a very good performance.

Cristiano Ronaldo: 10+. 5 goals. What else can you say?

Benzema: 7. The French scored and was involved on offense throughout the entire match. He's just the perfect striker for Cristiano Ronaldo and Bale.

Kovacic: -. The Croatian entered the game when it was already decided so it's hard to grade his performance. He will have more relevant chances to feature in the near future.

Lucas Vázquez: 7. He didn't have much time either but still he assisted Cristiano Ronaldo after some good dribbles on Real's 6th goal.

Varane: -. He replaced Ramos late in the game.