Real Madrid

Real Madrid ratings: Thibaut Courtois shows his class but Karim Benzema flops in disappointing draw at Real Betis

Thomas Hindle
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Real Madrid lacked quality in front of goal against Real Betis, and spluttered to a frustrating 0-0 draw to fall further behind Barcelona in La Liga

Real had a goal chalked off inside 15 minutes after Karim Benzema's free-kick was adjudged to have flicked off Antonio Rudiger's arm before swerving into the net.

Betis stayed in it, though, and looked the more likely side to score for long periods. They forced Thibaut Courtois into a series of top saves throughout the contest to prove their pedigree as genuine top-four contenders.

Madrid, meanwhile, had their moments but never found a crucial goal, and now face a nine-point deficit to leaders Barca in La Liga with 14 games to play.

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Estadio Benito Villamarin...

Editors' Picks

  1. Goalkeeper & Defence
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    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Thibaut Courtois (8/10):

    Pushed a long-range strike over the bar to keep the score locked at 0-0. Denied Borja Iglesias early in the second half with an instinctive stop. Produced two further stops to keep a clean sheet.

    Lucas Vasquez (6/10):

    Handed his first La Liga start since November 11, and filled in well at right-back. Substituted after an hour despite being arguably Real's best performer.

    Eder Militao (6/10):

    Lost track of Iglesias on a number of occasions, poor in the final third as Madrid pushed for a winner.

    Antonio Rudiger (6/10):

    Inadvertently deflected Benzema's free-kick into the net with his outstretched arm. Fine otherwise.

    Eduardo Camavinga (6/10):

    Returned to the side at left-back, and kept things solid. Replaced by Nacho in the second half.

  2. Midfield
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    Midfield

    Federico Valverde (7/10):

    Almost scored from 30 yards out with a wonderful strike. Looked the most energetic of Madrid's starting trio.

    Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):

    Completed the most passes in the match before he was removed for Dani Ceballos. Solid, if lacking in creativity.

    Toni Kroos (6/10):

    Precise in possession, but not exactly inspiring going forward. Needed to offer a bit more attacking thrust.

  4. Attack
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    Attack

    Rodrygo (6/10):

    Made some good runs, but his showing will be remembered for a miss from six yards out.

    Karim Benzema (5/10):

    Was unlucky to have a goal ruled out after deflecting off Rudiger's arm. Tried to force things after, and blasted one over when he could have passed in the 93rd minute.

    Vinicius Jr. (6/10):

    Some wonderful runs and silky skills, but too often lacked the final ball. Lost his temper with the referee and could have been shown a second yellow.

  5. Subs & Manager
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    Subs & Manager

    Dani Carvajal (6/10):

    Looked to get forward in the second half, but was exposed on the break.

    Nacho Fernandez (6/10):

    An odd introduction as Camavinga was enjoying a solid showing. Didn't bring anything extra to the game.

    Dani Ceballos (6/10):

    Enjoyed some neat interchanges. Fired wide from outside the box.

    Alvaro Rodriguez (x/x):

    Brought on as a last-minute roll of the dice. Couldn't replicate his Atletico Madrid heroics.

    Carlo Ancelotti (5/10):

    Shuffled things up, starting Vasquez and Rodrygo. But the Madrid attack never really got going, and Ancelotti's side now face a nine-point deficit in La Liga.