REAL MADRID
Keylor Navas: Made a couple of decent saves on his return to the team, but was left hopelessly exposed by his back four. Difficult to be too critical of the Costa Rican’s performance in the capital. (6/10)
Defence
Danilo: Given the nod at right-back despite Dani Carvajal’s return to fitness, but had a very difficult night. Did not offer much going forward and struggled in his battle with the excellent Neymar. (5/10)
Sergio Ramos: Showed courage to play with a bad shoulder, but the decision was not too wise. Did not look fully fit and was out of position for each of Barcelona’s first two goals. Had a tough night. (5/10)
Raphael Varane: Was out of position for Barcelona’s opener and just did not look the same player that he has been over the last 12 months or so. Also uncharacteristically sloppy in possession. (5/10)
Marcelo: Made a goal-line clearance late in the first period and looked a threat when he was allowed to venture forward. Probably the pick of Real Madrid’s defenders, but that was not too difficult. (6/10)
Midfield
Luka Modric: One of his quietest games in recent memory. So often the dictator for Real Madrid, but just was not involved for long spells. Went missing for long stages of the contest in Madrid. (5/10)
Toni Kroos: Neat and tidy in possession of the ball, but Real Madrid needed more from their German international. Picked to protect his back four, but he did not look comfortable in that role. (6/10)
James Rodriguez: Returned to the XI following injury, but was played in a deep role and saw little of the ball in the first period. Started the second half well, but was replaced in the 55th minute. (6/10)
Attack
Cristiano Ronaldo: Had a difficult night, but was comfortably his team’s best attacker. Would have finished the night with a couple of goals but for some excellent goalkeeping from Claudio Bravo. (6/10)
Karim Benzema: Has only just returned from a lay-off and also has off-the-field concerns at the moment. Nowhere near the player that he was at the start of the season. Just not fit enough. (5/10)
Gareth Bale: Another that has only just returned from injury and another that struggled to make an impression. Looked dangerous in possession, but was pretty non-existent for long stages. (5/10)
Substitutes
Isco: Set up a good chance for Ronaldo after entering in the 55th minute, but was sent off late on for a really poor challenge on Neymar – kicking out at the Brazilian when the ball had gone. (4/10)
Dani Carvajal: Brought on in the 59th minute as a replacement for Marcelo and the Spaniard provided some good quality in wide areas. Set up a couple of chances from dangerous crosses. (6/10)
BARCELONA
Claudio Bravo: Had a super night at the Bernabeu. Was particularly busy in the second period, but answered his team’s call on every occasion. Frustrated Ronaldo with some wonderful stops. (8/10)
Defence
Dani Alves: Was in the wars in the first half and was a little guilty of stopping the play too often, but the Brazilian was strong at the back and a threat going forward. Still one of the best in his position. (7/10)
Gerard Pique: As expected, was whistled throughout the contest, but the Spaniard kept cool in an intense atmosphere and managed to keep Benzema very quiet for long spells in the capital. (7/10)
Javier Mascherano: Made a solid start to the game as he won a number of crunching challenges in vital areas, but the Argentine was forced off before the 30-minute mark with a groin problem. (6/10)
Jordi Alba: Not as involved going forward as previous games, but provided good balance down the left and was also solid defensively when needed. A mature performance from the Spaniard. (7/10)
Midfield
Sergi Roberto: Has really come of age in recent weeks and put in another super performance here. Set up Suarez for the game’s opener with an excellent run and pass. Keeps growing in this team. (8/10)
Sergio Busquets: Not always obviously involved in what was happening, but his appreciation of space and overall performance was just excellent. Always in control of the events around him. (8/10)
Ivan Rakitic: Slightly overshadowed by a number of his teammates, but still performed an important role during his 57 minutes on the field in Madrid. Kept feeding the ball into dangerous positions. (7/10)
Attack
Andres Iniesta: Wonderful performance from the Spaniard, who set up his team’s second with a super pass, before scoring their third early in the second period. Controlled the tempo of the game. (8/10)
Luis Suarez: Opened the scoring in the 11th minute, before completing his brace late on. Both finishes were excellent and he once again made his mark in a big football match for Barcelona. (9/10)
Neymar: Just cannot seem to do any wrong at the moment. Scored Barcelona’s second before setting up Iniesta with a wonderful flick. Real Madrid just could not live with his movement and pace. (9/10)
Substitutes
Jeremy Mathieu: Would not have been easy to come into the match in the 27th minute, but the Frenchman did well to pick up the pace as he slotted into central defence alongside Pique. (7/10)
Lionel Messi: Made his return from a knee injury in the 57th minute and looked as if he had never been away. Effortlessly linked with Neymar and Suarez as Barcelona rammed home their advantage. (7/10)
Munir El-Haddadi: Had a sensational chance to make it 5-0 late on after meeting a super cross from Neymar, but could only fire wide of the post. Continues to be given plenty of minutes this term. (6/10)
