Real Madrid

Real Madrid player ratings vs Almeria: Rodrygo shows world-class potential while Karim Benzema climbs up La Liga's goalscoring leaderboard

Thomas Hindle
Last updated
Comments (0)
Karim Benzema Rodrygo Real Madrid Almeria
Karim Benzema grabbed a hat-trick while Rodrygo showed his best as Real Madrid shrugged off relegation-threatened Almeria.

Although Benzema bagged a hat-trick, Rodrygo's star showing was perhaps the most intriguing performance as Real Madrid battered a heavily-rotated Almeria side, 4-2.

Benzema opened the scoring swiftly, benefitting from a fine piece of work from Vinicius Junior to turn the ball home from close range.

He added a second 10 minutes later, handed an easy tap-in after a wonderful Rodrygo nutmeg and pass. A composed penalty sealed a first-half hat-trick for the French forward.

Rodrygo was at it again for the Madrid fourth, lashing a long-range effort in. He had a goal disallowed, too, a tidy header that would have turned a comfortable win into a thrashing.

We've seen so many flashes from Rodrygo, and the performance Saturday must serve as personal inspiration for the level to reach more consistently.

Meanwhile, Los Blancos weren't exactly steady at the back. They conceded two soft goals to a much-changed Almeria side - something that manager Carlo Ancelotti will, no doubt, be concerned about.

Still, Madrid were wonderful going forward, and their promising Brazilian youngster showed a vision of what could be for years to come.

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from the Santiago Bernabeu...

Editors' Picks

  1. Goalkeeper & Defence
    Getty Images

    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Thibaut Courtois (5/10):

    Nothing to do, really. Can't be blamed for the Almeria goals. Two quality assists took him out of the game.

    Lucas Vazquez (7/10):

    A lot more creative than expected in a rare start. Started at right-back, ended up playing left-wing. Won't get many more of these opportunities.

    Eder Militao (6/10):

    A few nice runs forward, but lost his position once or twice. Needs to find some consistency.

    Antonio Rudiger (7/10):

    The better of the two centre-backs. Barely misplaced a pass.

    Eduardo Camavinga (6/10):

    Lost Lazaro at the back post as the Almeria forward pulled one back for his side just before half-time. Otherwise solid. He's a very good left-back for a player who openly hates playing left-back.

  2. Midfield
    Getty

    Midfield

    Dani Ceballos (8/10):

    More involved in the attack from a right-sided position. Grabbed an assist, completed the most dribbles in the match. The best of Madrid's midfield trio.

    Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):

    Handed a start after a rough run. Was agreeable on the ball and positionally sound. Will need to find form; he will likely be in the XI more regularly with Luka Modric out.

    Toni Kroos (6/10):

    Allowed Lazaro to run through too easily for Almeria's solitary goal. Typically metronomic in his passing. Will need to turn in a better defensive showing against Man City.

  4. Attack
    Getty Images

    Attack

    Rodrygo (9/10):

    Assisted Benzema's second with a lovely flick and pass. Scored one of his own with a driven strike. A glimpse of what he can be at his best.

    Karim Benzema (9/10):

    Opened the scoring inside five minutes, added a second after 16. Completed his hat-trick before half time. Visibly angry for not scoring more. Moved up to fourth in La Liga's all-time goalscoring charts.

    Vinicius Junior (8/10):

    Set up Benzema's opener, made some opponents look very silly. Now has 20 goals and 20 assists between club and country. Madrid will hope there are more to come this year.

  5. Subs & Manager

    Marco Asensio (6/10):

    Would be disappointed not to start. Didn't offer much in a 20 minute run around.

    Nacho (6/10):

    Fresh legs for a tired-looking Kroos.

    Dani Carvajal (N/A):

    No time to make an impact.

    Carlo Ancelotti (7/10):

    Keeps going for strong lineup, despite the relative unimportance of the contest. His selection paid off, though, as Madrid were rampant going forward. Ancelotti might be concerned with Madrid's defensive lapses — they shouldn't concede two to this side.