Player Ratings: Real Madrid 0 - 1 Villarreal, 2018 La Liga

Real Madrid suffered another shocking late second-half defeat in a cold and wet Bernabeu against Villareal on Saturday. The loss was a bitter pill to swallow, after what was a very fine performance in the first half — much like in the el Clasico.

Luck again was not on the side of Real Madrid as they had countless chances to win the match, and on another night of poor finishing, Villarreal was handed a late match winner. Gone are the days when fans and players alike had a reason to believe for late match heroics and winners.

Photo by fotopress/Getty Images

Player Ratings:

Keylor Navas: 5.5

He was very unfortunate after an exquisite stop on Unal’s shot, but in the end his save was worthless as Fornals chipped home the rebound for the only goal of the night.

Nacho: 6

The spanish centre-back had a superb performance the whole night. He was always composed, at speed, and up to the challenge. He was almost always at the right place at the right time. His game was worthy of a win, not a loss.

Raphael Varane: 5.5

The frenchman was also having a great match, but in the end he could not do anything to prevent the goal which he cannot be blamed for. He is the only consistent performer of the team this season.

Dani Carvajal: 5

The defender was full of running the whole night. This is the only time that I have seen the right-back being like this during this campaign. In the end he could not stop Cheryshev from passing the ball that reached Fornals for the goal.

Marcelo: 5

Actually, both our fullbacks were having a fine night. Marcelo was a spark. He made forward runs that created danger in Villarreal’s half. He smashed a powerful shot in the first half only to be denied by a big save from Asenjo.

Casemiro: 4

The Brazilian did not have an easy match after the break, as Villarreal grew into the game and the defensive midfielder played under pressure. He was only left on in the match to prevent goals like tonight, but he could not do such things anymore. Maybe it is time now for Zidane to use Kovacic more in his place.

Toni Kroos: 4.5

The cyborg lacked his conventional accuracy the whole night, having poor passes and poor finishing. He tried a number of shots but it was all unconvincing to find the back of the net. Obviously went tired as the match stretched.

Luka Modric: 4.5

He controlled possession and had a great chance to score, only for him to blast it over the crossbar. He was not at his customary self, though maybe that was due to the team’s low moral at the moment.

Isco: 4.5

Isco had a couple of brilliant and awkward moments during the match. Some of his passes were key but others were just plainly dull and sluggish. The good thing is that he was visible during his time on the field and didn’t succumb.

Bale: 4.5

Unlucky on the offside goal, tried his best to convert his chances, but wasn't able to make an impact. He was withdrawn for fitness protection purposes.

Ronaldo: 4.5

He was involved all throughout the night but frustratingly missed chance after chance. The brilliance of Asenjo tonight in front of goal was a big wall for Ronaldo, preventing him from registering a goal.

Substitutes:

Marco Asensio (for Bale, min. 70):

4

His introduction opened up spaces for Real Madrid but Asensio wasn't really able to make an impact.

Vasquez (for Isco, min. 70): 4

Though he wasn't able to produce any final result this time around, he was active. His cut-back pass to Modric should have reach the back of the net.