It was a hard fought win for Real Madrid, who came up against an awesome performance from Cadiz goalkeeper David Gil on Saturday
Nacho Fernandez and Marco Asensio were the surprise heroes for Real Madrid as they each scored to secure a 2-0 win at Cadiz on Saturday.
Karim Benzema and Rodrygo had been the biggest threats throughout the game as they enjoyed plenty of chances, as did many of their team-mates, but couldn't break through. Real Madrid had an incredible 35 shots overall.
It was a magnificent performance from Cadiz goalkeeper Gil that frustrated the reigning Spanish champions and gave the home team a fighting chance.
That all came to an end after 72 minutes when the shot stopper's incredible work was undone by a sublime long-range effort from Nacho that sailed into the bottom corner, before Asensio found the same spot just four minutes later to ensure Carlo Ancelotti's team left with three points.
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GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Nuevo Mirandilla…
GettyGoalkeeper & Defence
Thibaut Courtois (6/10):
Had a couple of saves to make and dealt well with everything that came at him.
Lucas Vazquez (5/10):
Offered some good support in attack as he played high and wide but he lacked quality and his weak defensive play offered little protection on the right.
Eder Militao (8/10):
Nothing got past him because of his excellent reading of the game and willingness to fight for the ball.
Antonio Rudiger (7/10):
Comfortable alongside Militao and was strong on the ball, making a couple of runs forward.
Nacho Fernandez (7/10):
Offered support on the left side but did not look like making an impact until he unleashed a ferocious shot from distance that flew into the bottom corner.
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Federico Valverde (7/10):
Some fantastic runs into space and set up Rodrygo for a golden chance the attacker missed. Went on a good drive forward to set up Asensio for the second.
Aurelien Tchouameni (5/10):
Not one of his better performances as he made some sloppy passes and was not his usual reliable self when it came to protecting the back line.
Dani Ceballos (6/10):
Played with a lot of energy as he got all over the pitch, helping his team out defensively while making good passes and runs forward.
GettyAttack
Marco Asensio (8/10):
A danger to the Cadiz goal as he forced a strong save early on and linked up well with Benzema and the Madrid midfield. Fired low into the bottom corner to double their lead.
Karim Benzema (7/10):
A lot of great movement and could have had two goals by half-time but was denied by a good save while he also hit the bar and the post.
Rodrygo (6/10):
Worked hard and got into dangerous positions down the left in Vinicius Junior's absence but simply couldn't put the decisive finish to attacks as his shots were either snuffed out or wide.
GettySubs & Manager
Eduardo Camavinga (7/10):
Replaced Vazquez midway through the second period and slotted into the back line with the intention of carrying the ball forward to open up chances.
Luka Modric (6/10):
Came on for the last 10 minutes and put in a comfortable performance in midfield before seeing an audacious shot go just wide.
Eden Hazard (5/10):
Lost the ball too easily shortly before coming on for Rodrygo.
Carlo Ancelotti (8/10):
His team were always on top and put Cadiz under a great deal of pressure in the absence of Vinicius Junior and Toni Kroos. They were well set up and could have had the game wrapped up by half-time had it not been for Cadiz's excellent goalkeeper.