Player Ratings: Eibar 0 - Real Madrid 4; 2019 La Liga

Madrid took a trip to the north of Spain, the Basque region, specifically Eibar, where the rain was pummeling down and it was a brisk 10° Celsius (50° Fahrenheit). The adverse conditions had no effect on the positive form produced over the last four matches. Eden Hazard continues to improve, Karim Benzema continues to score goals, and Thibaut Courtois kept yet another clean sheet. Full match player ratings below:

Thibaut Courtois—7: A fifth consecutive clean sheet for the man Marca dubbed “El Muro” (the wall) on their cover yesterday evening. He has now gone 520 minutes without conceding a goal, breaking Keylor Navas record of 517 minutes.

Dani Carvajal—7: Completely shut down Inui on Eibar’s left flank and was instrumental in winning possession high up the pitch with his relentless pressing.

Raphael Varane—8: Both Ramos and Varane were rocks at the back. They combined for 17 clearances (8 for Varane, 9 for Ramos) and each dicatated when to press and when to drop their lines. Gave Eibar the respect they deserved and was very safe in the back — clearing the ball out for a throw-in to give Madrid time to regain their shape and recover numbers.

Sergio Ramos—8.5: Dispatched yet another penalty to give Madrid a two-goal lead. Had a team high of 9 clearances along with 2 tackles and 1 interception.

Ferland Mendy—7: Much more involved in the attack today, constantly providing overloads down Madrid’s left flank. Combined well with Hazard, Benzema, and Valverde. Was equally impressive on the defensive front, shutting down De Blasis and Orellana.

Casemiro—8: Such an intelligent player — he reads the game so well and defensively was impeccable in his positioning.

Luka Modric—7.5: One of the Croatian’s best games so far this season — provided an assist on Fede Valverde’s goal and retained possession well in the heart of midfield.

Fede Valverde—8.5: Scored a Kroos-esque goal to cap off a 4-0 victory and put in yet another impressive display. Defensively had a team high 4 tackles and a team high 3 interceptions.

Eden Hazard—9: Slowly starting to replicate the form that made hime one of the worlds most coveted players at Chelsea. Was a cosntant threat on the counter and Eibar simply couldn’t take the ball off of him. Completed a team high of 6 dribbles and although he did not score, he did draw the penalty which Sergio Ramos tucked away.

Lucas Vazquez—7: Absolutely relentless in his pursuit of the ball when working defensively and was crucial to Madrid’s pressing game. Did well to draw a penalty, Madrid’s second, and put in one of his strongest performances of the season.

Karim Benzema—9: The Frenchman scored two goals and was once again at the heart of all of Madrid’s good attacking play. Now has 11 goals and 5 assists on the season and seems to be ageing like a fine wine.

Substitutions:

Vinicius JR—5.5: Both good and bad moments in Vinicius JR’s cameo. Made himself a constant threat on the break playing off the shoulder of the back-line and looking to beat them for pace when Madrid transition into attack. Had a few moments where he made the wrong decision on when to dribble vs when to pass. Within 30 to 35 yards of his own goal he should be more conservative in his decision making and within that same measurement to the oppositions goal is when he can pull out his flicks and tricks. It’s to be expected from a 19-year-old and his defensive work rate during his time on the pitch was superb.

Isco—6.5: His most encouraging 20 minutes of the season, looked good on the ball, completed 1 dribble, and kept the level high in Madrid’s midfield.

Brahim Diaz—N/A: Brought on for the last ten minutes and didn’t have many opportunities to show his quality.