Real Madrid player ratings vs Barcelona

Courtois: Made a crucial interception in the first half when Alba crossed. He punched it away and it landed to Messi and Ramos cleared. The Belgian was solid and good with the ball at his feet but never truly tested - 6.

Carvajal: Everywhere in attack in the first half but also suffered more than anyone as Alba constantly attacked down his side and got in behind several times too - 6.

Varane: Should have had two penalties in the first half. Quick to cut out any Barcelona danger and helped Ramos bringing the ball out from the back. Had a couple of headers in attacks with no luck. Saved a potential Griezmann goal in the second half - 7.

See also: Varane left with stud-marked leg as Real bemoan penalty calls

Ramos: Some headless play on the ball but did well to keep Suarez quite in the first half. He saved a Messi shot off the line and prevented a Suarez goal with a perfectly-timed challenge in the second - 6.

Mendy: Very attacking performance from the left-back. He lacks the final ball that Marcelo has but far better defensively. Kept Semedo at bay and assisted Bale for the goal in the second half even though he was a shade offside. Very promising involvement - 7.

Casemiro: Started the game a little out of sorts with Messi and Suarez taking advantage. They couldn't make it count and Valverde and the Brazilian eventually started to figure out where to be as they distributed the work more fairly. He started to attack after that and had a header cleared off the line. Lovely pass into Mendy for the goal that was ruled out for offside - 8.

Valverde: Three shots on goal with two lovely volleys and one that was deflected out for a corner. Typical timely display as he showed up at the right time on several occasions. Played a nice pass after a driving run to Bale as he shot into the side netting. Left the field after 80 minutes for Modric - 8.

Kroos: Decent performance in linking play with his teammates from the start until the end. Missed a couple of shots from distance, one of his specialties. He didn't have his usual precision from set pieces either, another one of his best traits - 6.

Isco: A surprise in the starting XI in place of Modric. But the attacking midfielder justified his inclusion with loads of involvement and good defensive application. Looked like the best version of his former self at times. Ran out of petrol in the second half and was removed for Rodrygo after 80 minutes and with the game opening up - 8.

Benzema: Dropped out to the left a lot and linked play while remaining a threat in the penalty area. Didn't shoot as often as we have grown accustomed to but more associative performance from the attacker. Masterclass of how a forward should play with your back to goal - 8.

Bale: Zidane said he always shows up in big games and he was right. His inclusion was justified with a very good second half. A little subdued in the first half but came into the game and looked Madrid's best chance of a goal. He did score but Mendy was offside for it and he had another shot that he drilled into the side netting. Grew in confidence as the game went and his commitment was total - 8.

Substitutes

Modric: Replaced Valverde and played for the last 10 plus stoppage time. Not much time to do much but did what he could. 

Rodyrgo: Came on at the same time as Modric. Played on the right and tried to provide an outlet for Madrid to no real avail.