Although Carlo Ancelotti’s major summer acquisition misses the net, the league leaders ground out a messy triumph.

Real Madrid has to be able to turn elsewhere when Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, and Kylian Mbappe go quiet. And on Sunday, in the thick of a subpar Blancos effort, Federico Valverde and Brahim Diaz stood up to score two vital goals. Then Endrick got off the bench to open his Real account and seal off a 3-0 triumph.

Madrid laboured for protracted periods of the first half since they seemed to lack the presence of injured Jude Bellingham in midfield. Mbappe forced a fine stop from the custodian with an acrobatic stroke and displayed flashes with clean runs in behind. Still, the home side barely had one shot on target to close the opening 45 minutes.

But Los Blancos made great improvement following the interval, exactly as in their season opening. Eventually Valverde discovered the breakthrough: his deflected free-kick fizzing into the bottom corner, much to the relief of a restless Santiago Bernabeu.

 

Given fifteen minutes left, it ought to have been three or four. While Rodrygo’s fluffed cross saw Vinicius Jr deprived of a tap-in, Mbappe squandered some excellent opportunities. Substitute Brahim Diaz eventually made the game unreachable. With an amazing third in second half stoppage time, Endrick gave Ancelotti’s team their first seasonal triumph.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Thibaut Courtois (7/10):

Made a couple of key saves to ensure that his side didn’t slip up.

Dani Carvajal (6/10):

Didn’t get forward much, and was caught napping on a few occasions. Not his best showing.

Eder Militao (8/10):

Assisted Brahim’s goal, won all of his tackles and headers. A real return to form.

Toni Rudiger (7/10):

Uncharacteristically sloppy at times. Gave Valladolid hope here and there.

Fran Garcia (6/10):

Stayed put in a shielding role and held his own at left-back.

Midfield

Aurelien Tchouameni (7/10):

Relished his 50-50 duels, and won his fair share of tackles. A classy display at the base of midfield.

Federico Valverde (8/10):

Full of legs in central midfield, and put out fires all over the place. Opened the scoring for his team.

Arda Guler (7/10):

Enjoyed some bright moments in central midfield, and put three shots on target. Some of his link-up play was lacking, though.

Attack

Rodrygo (5/10):

Made all of the right runs, but some of his quality on the ball was really lacking – highlighted by one poorly skewed cross.

Kylian Mbappe (5/10):

Wandered around a lot, and found space in the left channel. Will be frustrated that he missed a couple of good chances.

Vinicius Jr (7/10):

Lively as ever on the left. Created a few good chances, and made his man look silly on multiple occasions.

Subs & Manager

Brahim Diaz (7/10):

Barely had a kick, and then put the game beyond reach with a wonderful goal.

Luka Modric (7/10):

Broke out the usual array of turns and tricks. A calming presence.

Dani Ceballos (N/A):

No time to make an impact.

Endrick (7/10):

Buried his first Madrid goal in second half stoppage time. Should be a real confidence boost.

Carlo Ancelotti (7/10):

Handed Guler a start in the usual “Bellingham role”, and put out a rather attacking XI. Madrid were poor in the first half, much much better in the second. Not a sexy win, but a solid one.