El Clasico player ratings

Luis Suarez, Neymar and Andres Iniesta take the plaudits in Football Espana’s player ratings as Barcelona routed Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid

Keylor Navas

Slow off his line for Barca’s second goal but got a good hand to a Neymar free kick in the second half. Had no chance for any of the other goals.

Rating: 6/10

Danilo

Doubled up on by Neymar and Jordi Alba, has reason to complain about the support from Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez. Didn’t use the ball well.

Rating: 5/10

Sergio Ramos

Competitive as ever but not always in control. Not helped by the Madrid midfield losing the battle to Barca but couldn’t get a handle on Suarez. Lucky not to give away a penalty for a trip on Suarez.

Rating: 4/10

Raphael Varane

Had a running battle with Suarez that the Uruguayan got the better of, on the whole. Still a physical specimen but lacked his usual composure, though did make important blocks. Wasted a headed chance.

Rating: 5/10

Marcelo

Willing but ineffective apart from preventing a third Barca goal on the brink of half time. Should have pulled a goal back early in the second half. Limped off for Carvajal.

Rating: 6/10

Luka Modric

Anonymous in the first 45 minutes. Having the destructive Casemiro might have helped but that decision lies with the Coach, and he didn't turn up later either.

Rating: 5/10

Toni Kroos

Like Modric was barely in the first half, Barca passing around the double pivot. Didn’t improve much after the break.

Rating: 4/10

James Rodriguez

Not in his best position and it showed. Had to do too much defensive work and Barca exploited his weaknesses but did offer more than his teammates going forward. Taken of for Isco.

Rating: 6/10

Cristiano Ronaldo

Quiet in the first half bar a couple of clashes with Dani Alves, one of which, an elbow, he could have been sent off for. Could have pulled a goal back but Bravo stood up well.

Rating: 5/10

Karim Benzema

Fluffed his lines in his first chance and didn’t look sharp after a lengthy lay-off. Nowhere near his usual bustling self, and couldn’t connect with Ronaldo or Bale. Produced a good header late on.

Rating: 5/10

Gareth Bale

Another to look like a lack of playing time was holding him back. Produced very little of note before an outside-of-the-foot assist for Ronaldo.

Rating: 4/10

Subs

Isco

On for James after 54 minutes. Bright but was already chasing a lost cause and frustration got the better of him with a nasty challenge on Neymar.

Rating: 4/10

Dani Carvajal

On for Marcelo after 58 minutes. Offered some fight at least, and was more of an attacking threat than most of hiss more vaunted colleagues.

Rating: 5/10

Rafa Benitez

Strangely went against himself by not picking defensive midfielder Casemiro and paid for it, his team wide open. Picked unfit players too.

Rating: 4/10

 

Barcelona

Claudio Bravo

A huge let-off late in the first half though he argued his shirt was pulled as he spilled a simple cross. Made eight saves, some of them, from James, Ronaldo and Benzema, were of the highest class.

Rating: 8/10

Dani Alves

Booked in the first half for a foul on Ronaldo and got an elbow to the head for his trouble. Worked hard, competitive.

Rating: 6/10

Gerard Pique

Sound but sold himself to give Marcelo a good chance in the second half. Little to worry him otherwise.

Rating: 6/10

Javier Mascherano

Replaced in the first half with a groin injury.

Rating: N/A

Jordi Alba            

Offered width and attacking thrust as usual and was solid in defence. Had little to worry about from the Madrid attackers.

Rating: 7/10

Sergio Busquets

Re-enforced his standing as the best holding midfielder in the world with an assured display but was nearly caught on the edge of his own penalty area by Kroos. Class otherwise.

Rating: 7/10

Ivan Rakitic

Unspectacular but effective, tidy in possession and a presence in attack and defence. Could have made it 3-0 before half time. Taken off for Messi.

Rating: 7/10

Andres Iniesta

Some beautiful passes from the game’s most experienced participant, including a delicate assist for Neymar. Stunning finish for the third goal. Off for Munir to applause from parts of the Bernabeu.

Rating: 8/10

Sergi Roberto

Nice assist for Suarez’s goal and tactically sound as an extra midfielder when needed and a bit more composure could have given him a goal.

Rating: 8/10

Luis Suarez

Took his goals well and was a constant thorn in the side of the Madrid centre-backs, link with Neymar a joy to watch and a nightmare to defend against.

Rating: 9/10

Neymar

Lively throughout as he tormented compatriot Danilo. Took his goal well and timed his run expertly to stay onside. Delightful back-heel to set-up Iniesta’s third.

Rating: 9/10

Subs

Jeremy Mathieu

On for Mascherano after 27 minutes. Didn’t have much to do but was capable when called upon.

Rating: 7/10

Lionel Messi

On for Rakitic after 56 minutes. Exactly the kind of comeback Luis Enrique would have wanted for his star man. The game was won and Messi looked sharp.

Rating: 7/10

Munir El-Haddadi

On for Iniesta after 77 minutes. Little impact but the game was settled by the time he came on. Twice could have made it five.

Rating: 6/10

Luis Enrique

Resisted temptation to bring back Messi too soon and his pick of Roberto on the right wing proved to be inspired.

Rating: 8/10

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