Real Madrid Player Ratings as Isco, Eden Hazard step up in 2-1 win over Elche

LW Vinicius Jr.

Vinicius Jr.’s performance deserved to be on the side of a team that scored three goals, as opposed to a side that could not muster one in over 100 minutes. The left winger was electrifying on the ball, making dribbles that would be all over the highlight reels in any other setting.

He was let down badly by many of his teammates. Marcelo’s support was too slow at times, Luka Jovic was horrendous, and Rodrygo Goes seemed to have his head in the clouds in the final third.

Of course, Vini was not perfect himself, as his shooting was sub-standard. Still, he was the best player on the pitch, offering three key passes and a jaw-dropping nine dribbles completed on an evening when little else was created by his teammates.

Rating: 8.0

ST Luka Jovic

I cannot help but light into Luka Jovic’s performance. His positioning and awareness were of a player far below the level of Real Madrid, and do not get me started on how lethargic he looked in transitions, taking poor angles that gave Vinicius Jr. and his teammates no hope of finding him. This was a self-centered, meandering performance from Jovic when Karim Benzema was not in the squad, a sign of trust from Carlo Ancelotti.

Jovic has taken on the responsibility successfully before this season, including in huge matches against Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid. But against Elche in the Copa del Rey, Jovic offered zero. Anyone interested in acquiring him probably knocked him a few spots off their list after watching this performance. It was everything you do not want to see from a striker.

RW Rodrygo Goes

I have a lot of love for Rodrygo Goes, but he is never going to fulfill his potential on the right side of the formation. That whole side was non-existent for much of the match, and while Rodrygo does not shoulder the blame for this alone, it is ultimately his responsibility as the forward.

Rodrygo had no end product and lost possession too easily (18 times in total). He had one highlight-reel dribble from his own half, but remember what he did after dribbling past the Elche players? He made a square pass behind the midfielder, completely negating any of the momentum his fleet feet may have gained. That is amateur stuff and is far more important than skill.

We can have high hopes for Rodrygo, but we have to be honest. He seems to take a step back every time he takes a step forward.

Rating: 4.5

CF Isco

The man of the hour. After scoring a decisive goal against Alcoyano in the first Copa del Rey match, Isco scored the equalizer with aplomb at Elche, backheeling Dani Ceballos’ strike to leave the keeper beaten all ends up. Aside from that excellent, clutch goal, the forme Malaga magician was smart and accurate with his passing. He did not make any mistakes and was always positive, coming up big when his team needed him most. What more can you ask?

Rating: 7.5

FW Eden Hazard

Hopefully, Eden Hazard’s matchwinner against Elche is a lightbulb moment for a man who is mired in transfer rumors again. Every Madridista knows what Hazard can do with health and confidence. He has the former now, but the latter still escapes him. After a poor performance against Alcoyano in which he was afraid to even take on a third-tier team’s defense, Hazard showed no fear in a do-or-die situation for Real Madrid at Elche.

The high-priced No. 7 showed his quality with an aggressive run off the ball. He then latched onto David Alaba’s perfect pass and made no mistake, punishing Elche’s overly-eager keeper with a Chelsea-esque finish. More of that, please. And maybe this matchwinner, this heroic moment, will help Hazard push past the mental block that has seemingly been in place since his first injury against PSG in 2019.

Rating: 7.5