Las Palmas 0-3 Real Madrid: Bale Scores A Brace As Los Blancos Snatch Away Win
Real Madrid eased to a 3-0 victory over Las Palmas at the Estadio Gran Canaria in the La Liga on Saturday night.
On a day when manager Zinedine Zidane rested a number of star players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo and Toni Kroos, it was Gareth Bale who stepped up for the Galacticos, opening the scoring in the 26th minute after being found by Luka Modric. Karim Benzema then doubled Madrid’s lead in the 39th minute, converting from the penalty spot.
Six minutes into the second period, Real Madrid were awarded another penalty and Bale stepped up to calmly slot it home to make it 3-0.
The win sees Real close down the gap on second-placed Atletico Madrid to just one point, with the Rojiblancos still having a game in hand. Here’s how the Real Madrid players fared on the day.
Real Madrid Player Ratings
Keylor Navas – 6/10
The Costa Rican international had a quiet day in the office between the sticks, with the home team never particularly threatening.
Nacho – N/A
Taken off in the first-half after he suffered an injury.
Raphael Varane – 7/10
Marshalled things well at the back in the absence of captain Sergio Ramos. His pace was an asset when Madrid faced a threat.
Jesus Vallejo – 7/10
Fit-again, the academy graduate was handed a rare start with Ramos not being available. Did not put a foot wrong all game long.
Theo Hernandez – 6/10
Not as influential as Marcelo going forward but the summer signing had a fairly comfortable game at the Gran Canaria.
Lucas Vazquez – 6.5/10
Was his usual industrious self on the right flank, always looking to run at defenders. Drew the first penalty for Madrid.
Luka Modric – 8/10
The Croatian star was easily one of the best players on the pitch. Controlled the proceedings from the middle, set up Bale for the opener with a peach of a ball.
Casemiro – 7/10
The Brazilian was his usual steady self in the midfield, helping his side stay on top before being taken off near the hour mark.
Marco Asensio – 6/10
Has been in top form of late but was relatively quiet against Las Palmas on Saturday. Still showed his quality in a couple of attacking moves.
Gareth Bale – 8/10
With rumours of his exit gaining weight, the onus was on him to prove his worth to this Real Madrid side. He did that in style, getting his side off the mark with a superb finish before adding a second from the spot.
Karim Benzema – 6.5/10
Making his 400th appearance for Los Blancos, the French forward slotted home coolly from the penalty spot in the first period. However, he did spurn a couple of chances.
Substitutes
Achraf Hakimi – 7/10
Replaced the injured Nacho in the first-half. Solid and reliable.
Mateo Kovacic – 6/10
Came on for Modric and kept things ticking in the middle.
Marcos Llorente – 6/10
Came on for Casemiro near the hour mark. Llorente continued from where his teammate left off.