Player ratings: Real Madrid 4 – 1 Elche
Thibaut Courtois: 8
Made an unbelievable point-blank save late on. Not at fault for the goal conceded.
Dani Carvajal: 7
A solid performance. Didn’t offer much going forward, but brought reliability and balance to the flank.
Antonio Rüdiger: 8
Another professional shift, this time crowned with the opening goal — a thunderous reaction to a loose ball in the box.
Dean Huijsen: 8 More promising signs from the young Spanish center-back. He recorded the most clearances
of anyone on the pitch and scored a great headed goal.
Fran Garcia: 8
Provided excellent overlaps and underlaps to create space in attack, and added an assist as well.
Fede Valverde: 8
Scored an absolute golazo — his fourth in two games. It feels like he’s going to score every time he pulls the trigger.
Thiago Pitarch: 6.5
A quiet game in which he didn’t get on the ball as much as his teammates. Finished with only 35 touches and completed 86% of his passes.
Aurelien Tchouameni: 7
Strong on the ball and read passing lanes well.
Eduardo Camavinga: 6.5
A mixed bag. Produced some excellent ball-winning moments in midfield, but also made a terrible giveaway deep in his own half that led to Elche’s goal.
Brahim Diaz: 7.5
He’s providing really good minutes right now. Made smart runs on and off the ball and added a spark in transition.
Vinicius Jr: 6
Another quiet game from the Brazilian. Completed only three dribbles and didn’t see enough of the ball.
Substitutes
Arda Güler: 8.5
A wild, jam-packed cameo. In just 30 minutes, he not only registered the most tackles of anyone on the field, but also scored from 75 yards.
Gonzalo Garcia: 6.5
Quiet, but fine. Got into good areas off the ball and put in a shift.
Daniel Yañez: 7.5
Immediately showcased his talent as a natural right winger, delivering an expert pinpoint left-footed cross for Huijsen’s goal.
Diego Aguado: 7
A really strong defensive shift. He made two big interventions in the box.
Manuel Angel: 6.5
Unlucky to concede an own goal. Otherwise worked hard and had some important defensive moments in the box.
Cesar Palacios: 7
A tidy player. Neat touches, strong in duels, and difficult to dispossess. Added one key pass.
