ESPN FC journalist and Real Madrid exert Dermot Corrigan assesses Real Madrid players' performance in the breathtaking 4-1 victory over Al Ain in the Club World Cup final. Even though the opponents cannot be compared to the reigning Champions League winners, it was still a spectacular battle. Who was the most impressive?
Bright stars
Corrigan highlights three Madrid players who really excelled against Al Ain. All of them received an 8 out of 10 mark. No wonder that three of them found their names on the scoresheet while another one simply had a stellar display and entered the history books of the whole tournament. This trio is formed by Luka Modric, Marcos Llorente and Kroos.
Modric: "Ended a pretty great 2018 for him personally by curling home the opening goal with his left foot from the edge of the box. He may have had another with a sweet volley set up for him by a pinpoint Toni Kroos corner as the party tricks came out."
Llorente: "His focus and commitment was never in doubt as the youngster covered each blade of grass and got just reward, catching a dropping ball 18 yards out just perfectly to make it 2-0 for his first senior goal for Madrid."
Kroos: "First player ever to play, and win, five CWC finals, and did not have to break a sweat as he and Modric controlled the game completely from the centre of the park."
Slight disappointments
Corrigan singles out two players who could have simply done better against Al Ain given the opponents' modesty. It doesn't mean they fared poorly in the 4-1 win rather than they weren't completely up to their usual world-class level. These are Marcelo and Lucas Vazquez who are both marked six out of ten.
Marcelo: "A smile when his attempt to catch Al-Ain goalkeeper Khalid Eisa off his line from 50 yards at 2-0 up showed how seriously he was taking all this. But was his misdirected header which gave Al-Ain their early golden chance."
Lucas Vazquez: "Hit the post from close range in early stages, while again being more prominent for his energy and workrate than his quality on the ball."
All other starters, as well as Dani Ceballos who entered the pitch in the middle of the second half as he replaced Toni Kroos all receive a seven out of ten rating from Corrigan. Marcos Llorente is deservingly named the Man of the Match against Al Ain given his brilliant contribution to both defence and attack.
Agree with the ratings?
