Real Madrid player ratings as Club Brugge beaten in Belgium

Alphonse Areola:

The goalkeeper wasn't called into action all that often, but responded well when he was. He could do little about Club Brugge's goal.

Álvaro Odriozola:

After a poor first half in which he looked lost and was somewhat clumsy, Odriozola gave a sharper display after the break. He was in position to clear an early opening for Brugge in the second half, and it was his run to the byline that brought about Rodrygo Goes' opening goal for the visitors.

Raphaël Varane:

Wearing the captain's armband in the absence of club skipper Sergio Ramos, Varane showed good positioning and was quick into the tackle, in what was overall a decent display.

Éder Militao:

Played in a manner reminiscent of Ramos, showing good anticipation and getting himself into positions to get headers in on the opposition goal. He almost stole the ball off goalkeeper Simon Mignolet not once, but twice from the same corner kick. A very good performance.

Ferland Mendy:

Drifted out of position once to allow Thibault Vlietinck to create a chance for Brugge. That was pretty much the only black mark on the Frenchman's display.

Casemiro:

A man for any task; he can do everything. He covers for his team-mates when they lose their position, is always on the lookout for danger behind him, wins the ball back, launches counter-attacks... You can see why Zinedine Zidane is so reluctant to rest him. Luka Modric's presence gave the Brazilian more freedom, and he repaid the Croat by setting him up for Real Madrid's third goal.

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Isco:

In the first half hour, Isco was forced to go looking for the ball in areas where he makes less of a difference. As soon as he got himself into a more dangerous attacking position, he very nearly scored the opener, sending a low shot just wide of Mignolet's right-hand post.

Luka Modric:

Even when controlling a ball that ricochets off an opponent onto his chest, Modric makes it look graceful. In the moments where he found his groove, the 34-year-old conducted Madrid's play with aplomb, and rounded off the victory with a fine curling shot from the edge of the box.

Rodrygo Goes:

After a quiet first half, Rodrygo showed once again that he possesses that X factor by conjuring up a wonderful finish to put Los Blancos ahead. He also played his part in the second, scored by Vinicius. Regardless of which wing he plays on, he produces.

Luka Jovic:

Jovic did well with his back to goal and linked up nicely with Vinicius, but was too static and needed to get himself closer to the Brugge goal. It was his clever nod-down that led to Madrid's second, however.

Vinicius Júnior:

Got up and down his wing tirelessly, helping Mendy to give Brugge little change down the Real Madrid left. Rounded off a good display by scoring Madrid's second shortly before being replaced by Brahim Díaz.

Substitutes:

Brahim Díaz:

Given a rare run-out when he was introduced for Vinicius in the 73rd minute, the young Spaniard did well with the few touches he got.

Karim Benzema:

Benzema was given an ovation by the travelling fans when he came on for Jovic in the 77th minute and quickly set about showing where the Serb has to improve. When he's involved in Madrid's attacking play, the effect is unmistakable.

Federico Valverde:

Brought on for Isco in the 84th minute, Valverde had little time to make a huge impact.