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Spain ended their Nations League group stage with a 3-2 win over Switzerland on a crazy night that saw the referee award three penalties.

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• Rotated Spain win 3-2 against Switzerland
• Chelsea's Sanchez disappoints in Spain goal
• Spain get their 14th win of the calendar year

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  TELL ME MORE

  Spain entered their final Nations League A Group 4 match against Switzerland at Estadio de Tenerife knowing that they had already secured the top spot in the standings. However, getting a win remained crucial for the visitors as they knew that a win for them and a loss for Serbia against Denmark would save them from automatic relegation.

  Despite playing a heavily rotated squad, Spain started the match strong through the first 30 minutes but were not able to challenge Switzerland goalkeeper Yvan Mvogo until they were handed a penalty after Alvaro Morata was brought down in the box by Ricardo Rodriguez. The Spain captain handed the penalty duty to the Canary Islands native Pedri to score in front of his home crowd, however, the Barcelona star was unable to beat Mvogo. The clearance then fell to Nico Williams, whose shot at goal was blocked by the Swiss defence. Luckily for Luis de la Fuente's men, the ball fell straight at Yeremy Pino's feet as he finally put it into the back of the net.

  Just a few minutes later, Pedri was brought down by a terrible challenge from Miro Muheim as the midfielder took the full brunt of the Swiss defender's studs on his knee. Luckily, the youngster was able to continue after a few minutes of treatment by the medical staff.

  The second half saw a similar calm start by La Roja. However, after the Spain defensive line was caught out by a perfect ball in behind, Joel Monteiro had the perfect opportunity to bring Switzerland level but failed to test Robert Sanchez in goal. The Young Boys forward had his moment just after the hour mark, however, as he dribbled past three La Roja defenders and managed to slot the ball in between Sanchez's legs to bring Switzerland level with Spain.

  Nonetheless, Rossocrociati were not able to keep level for too long as former Tottenham Hotspur star Bryan Gil had his own moment of brilliance in Mvogo's box as he stole the ball off Monteiro and took a few quick touches to open up enough space for himself to rip an unstoppable shot past the helpless Swiss goalkeeper.

  The game had a few more twists up its sleeve as just a few minutes away from the 90th minute of the game, Fabian Ruiz caught Vincent Sierro with a high boot as he attempted to clear the bouncing ball in Spain's box. Andi Zeqiri was able to beat Sanchez from the spot to bring Switzerland level for the second time on the night.

  La Roja were then able to shift into another gear and Bayern Munich loanee Bryan Zaragoza was able to get Sierro to catch him on the leg in the Swiss box, and the referee pointed to the spot for the third time in the match. Zaragoza was quick to claim the penalty for himself and smashed the spot kick past Mvogo to give Spain their 14th win of the season.

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  THE MVP

  Marc Casado and Alejandro Grimaldo were on song for De la Fuente's side on a night that saw a heavily rotated squad take to the field. Casado has been on top form all season long for Barcelona as their main pivot and received his first call-up for the national team this month. After making his debut as a substitute against Denmark, he was given his first start and was quick to settle into the side, control the tempo and link the defence and midfield together, while providing optimal security to Pau Cubarsi and Aitor Paredes' backline.

  Grimaldo, on the other hand, showed exactly why he is rated so highly by Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen as the Spaniard kept bombarding Switzerland's defence from the left and was also able to link up with Williams on numerous occasions. While he couldn't score or assist at Estadio de Tenerife, he managed to keep the side ticking through the clash.

• THE BIG LOSER

  Sanchez has not had the best time so far this season at Chelsea as the goalkeeper was on the end of a number of mistakes for the Blues. However, with Spain's number one Unai Simon out for the season, he had the chance to impress De la Fuente to pick him over David Raya and Alex Remiro for the Nations League knockouts. Nonetheless, he was unable to shift into a form as he came on as a second-half substitute for Remiro. The Chelsea keeper was beaten easily through his legs by Monterio for the first Swiss goal and was then made another mistake soon after as he spilt an easy cross but was saved by an alert Cubarsi, who cleared the ball out of danger.

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• WHAT COMES NEXT?

  Spain will now have to wait until November 22 to figure out who they will face off against next in the quarter-final of the Nations League. However, they know that thanks to their group win, Spain will play at home in the second leg as a way to give some advantage to the group winners.

The dawn of the 2024/25 campaign will soon poke over the horizon, and Liverpool's new head coach Arne Slot is gearing up his squad for an attack on major honours and the forefront of the Premier League.

While there has been a lack of transfer activity at Anfield this summer, sporting director Richard Hughes, also new, has stressed that there could be a "crescendo" in the market come August.

FSG love to secure a tidy deal and will pounce if the right opportunity materialises. Well, if one report is to be believed, the perfect new attacking midfielder might be ready to complete a transfer to a success-driven outfit such as Liverpool.

Liverpool transfer news

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Liverpool are alongside Manchester City in hoping to sign Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig this summer, with the Euro 2024 champion valued at €60m (£51m) by his German outfit.

Separate reports suggest that Pep Guardiola's side have lodged an official offer for the 26-year-old, so Liverpool will need to up the ante if they are to sign one of Europe's hottest commodities right now.

Why Dani Olmo could be Slot's own Coutinho

Few players lit up the international scene this summer like Olmo, whose clinical, talismanic efforts helped fire Spain toward a record-breaking fourth European Championship title.

Olmo's all-encompassing attacking game marks him as a truly deadly outlet, and Liverpool would go from strength to strength with him in the side. For Leipzig last season, while stricken by injury, the £152k-per-week talent scored eight goals and added five assists despite only registering 20 starts.

He ranked among the top 12% of positional peers at Euro 2024 for goals, assists and successful take-ons and the top 20% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref, with his "magic" ability with a football – as noted by talent scout Jacek Kulig – setting him up to become Slot's very own version of Philippe Coutinho.

A mesmerising player, Coutinho is one of the Reds' most iconic modern stars, posting 54 goals and 43 assists across 201 games for Liverpool and being sold to Barcelona in a jaw-dropping £142m deal.

That was the watershed moment in Jurgen Klopp's reign, opening up a new, previously unthinkable depth of coffers to spend on the likes of Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk and take the club to a new level entirely.

As you can see above, the Brazil international, now 32, was beyond brilliant during those final, pre-Barca days, meshing it all together to establish himself as one of Europe's finest.

Transfermarkt's Marcel Veth has hailed Olmo as a "joy to watch" but he is also one of the most complete players around, winning four duels and completing 1.2 tackles on average in the German top flight last season, as per Sofascore.

Liverpool have a superabundance of attacking talent at Slot's disposal, but Olmo would offer something different and might even prove to be the second coming of an unforgettable phenomenon in Coutinho.

Liverpool could land Jones upgrade with swoop for £60m PL star

The Reds have been linked with an interest in the Premier League maestro this summer.

By
Dan Emery

Jul 25, 2024

Liverpool coach Arne Slot says Pep Guardiola's contract extension at Manchester City is "good news" for the Premier League.

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• Guardiola extends stay at Man City
• Slot says this is good for Premier League
• Hails one of the game's best managers

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Guardiola signed a new two-year deal with City earlier this week, just when it looked like he may leave next summer when his contract was set to expire. Reds boss Slot says the Spaniard staying put is great for the division, as having the best managers and players in the English top-flight makes everything better.

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  WHAT ARNE SLOT SAID

  He told reporters on Friday: "That is good news for City, first of all, and also good news for the league because I think everybody wants to have the best managers possible over here and the best players over here – and he is definitely one of the best managers, maybe the best manager, in the league. If you look at what he did in the last few years, four times champions in a row, it’s fair to say that he is maybe the best manager in the league. So, that is a good thing, but on the other hand they have so many quality players that if he had made the choice to leave the club I wouldn’t have expected them to have ended up bottom of the league next season. Yes, good for the City fans and interesting for us as managers to keep on facing one of the best managers football has ever had."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Guardiola has brought City unprecedented success over the best part of a decade, winning a hatful of Premier League titles and the Champions League as well. The 53-year-old has said he wants to win more trophies with the English champions and while Slot may be happy Guardiola is not moving on just yet, it is harder to win trophies with his new rival on the scene.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Slot's Liverpool side will take on Guardiola's City for the first time on December 1 in a crunch top of the table clash at Anfield. Before then, the Reds travel to Southampton on Sunday and City host Tottenham on Saturday.

Phil Foden has been left out of Manchester City's squad for their game against Nottingham Forest due to illness.

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• Foden absent from City squad
• De Bruyne starts at Etihad
• Guardiola's side hoping to end winless run

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The attacking midfielder was left out of the 20-man squad for City's game at home to Forest, as Pep Guardiola's side aim to end a run of seven games without a win in all competitions. The Times' Paul Hirst has confirmed Foden has bronchitis.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Elsewhere, playmaker Kevin De Bruyne returns to the starting line-up for just his fifth start in the Premier League this season. Kyle Walker, who struggled in Sunday's defeat to Liverpool, has been dropped to the bench while Stefan Ortega keeps his place in goal ahead of Ederson.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The reigning Premier League champions were 2-0 victors in both games against Forest last season, with Erling Haaland scoring both home and away.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Few would have guessed at the start of the season that there would be just one point and one league place separating City and Forest at the start of December. Guardiola's side have been on a miserable run, losing their last four league games, while Nuno Espirito Santo's men have been the surprise package in the top flight this season.

Liverpool have been trawling through the summer transfer market as FSG search for new signings to strengthen Arne Slot's squad. That said, there's plenty to admire at one of the Premier League's most talented teams.

Club chiefs have stressed that Liverpool will complete deals in August, but there are plenty who have fought to stake their claim for a regular starting berth this summer, with Fabio Carvalho among the biggest winners over the pond.

Fabio Carvalho's Liverpool future

Carvalho has been a prominent feature throughout Liverpool's pre-season tour. Slot has rejected any notion of a loan move for the 21-year-old, who scored in summer victories over Arsenal and Manchester United after an emphatic loan spell with Hull City.

Liverpool have rejected a £15m bid from Premier League rivals Southampton for their nimble forward, stressing that it would take a much larger offer to convince them to sell. To put that another way, Slot has seen enough to entrust the Portugal U21 with a place in his first team.

He's not the only player likely to need to fight tooth and nail to secure a regular starting berth in Slot's starting squad; he might have featured regularly in the United States but Carvalho has been without the competition of Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz, all of whom checked straight in on Merseyside following extended breaks.

Joe Gomez, indeed, will be among those hoping to have made a good impression and earn regular minutes too, but there have actually been questions around the England international's Reds future this summer.

Joe Gomez's market value in 2024

Gomez is Liverpool's longest-serving senior player, having signed from Charlton Athletic for a figure of £3.5m in 2015. He's amassed 224 appearances and has won the whole gamut under Liverpool's lionised former manager Klopp.

It emerged before the summer that the 27-year-old was considering his options as Klopp's tenure drew to a close, though it has recently emerged that he is committed to the Liverpool cause despite a recent failed transfer to Newcastle United.

The Magpies were willing to fork out £45m for the dynamic defender last month as they sought to orchestrate a player-plus-cash deal that would have seen Anthony Gordon move to Anfield, foiled after alternative means materialised for United to dilute their PSR concerns.

Given that Gomez was signed for only £3.5m and has since produced many seasons of stalwart service, this is a remarkable rise and a nod to the astute work from the scouting team, with the £85k-per-week talent actually worth 1,185% more than that initial sum.

He's also worth three times as much as Caravalho; Liverpool might have wanted more from Southampton for his signing but the Saints have not yet returned with a weightier offer.

One thing's for certain, Liverpool have enjoyed the talent of one of the English scene's most underrated players – actually said to be "absolutely priceless" to Liverpool by pundit Steve McManaman – and Slot may yet help him realise his finest football year.

Liverpool could sign best CF since Suarez with move for £59m "powerhouse"

FSG would need to break their record to land this goal machine…

By
Angus Sinclair

Aug 3, 2024

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been warned off an ambitious Wrexham raid for Cristiano Ronaldo, with the deal making no sense to all concerned.

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• CR7 into final year of Al-Nassr contract
• Beginning to think about post-career plans
• Unlikely to make his way to North Wales

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  There have been suggestions that the Red Dragons, with Hollywood co-owners calling the shots, could explore the option of bringing CR7 to North Wales. Portuguese superstar Ronaldo is now 39 years of age and beginning to piece together plans for when the day comes to hang up his boots.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  He has made no secret of the fact that he intends to reach 1,000 career goals before heading into retirement, with a productive spell in the Saudi Pro League at Al-Nassr allowing him to edge ever closer to hitting that target. Ronaldo has, however, always been the kind of character to embrace a new challenge.

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  WHAT FOOTBALL FINANCE EXPERT SAID

  Working with Reynolds and Co could offer him a route into the movie business, or club investment when acquiring a stake in Wrexham, but football finance expert Dr Rob Wilson has told of why Ronaldo and the Red Dragons need to steer clear of one another. He has said: “The reality is that even if Wrexham wanted to do a deal like that, it's not something that is affordable, nor is it something that I really think fits any discernible strategy at their end.

  “I think he is still hugely marketable as a player. He's a massive following and I think he's made an incredibly smart decision moving to the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr. It is in the same way that Lionel Messi is having an impact in the MLS, Ronaldo is having a massive impact in the exposure of the Saudi Pro League, which I've witnessed myself. For him and his brand, he's better off staying where he is.”

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• WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

  While former Manchester United star Ronaldo my not be returning to the United Kingdom with Wrexham any time soon – as they continue on a promotion path towards the Premier League – he does have a big decision to make on his future in 2025 as his lucrative contract in the Middle East runs down.

This summer has been a phenomenal window for Everton as the club look to push further clear of the Premier League’s drop zone during the 2024/25 campaign.

Sean Dyche has already secured five transfers ahead of the start of the season next weekend, with the Toffees signing reinforcements in numerous key positions across the pitch.

From defenders such as Jake O’Brien to attackers such as Iliman Ndiaye, the club have added needed depth to help transform Dyche’s side into a comfortable mid-table side after multiple near misses with relegation.

However, his side are still in the market to improve further before the transfer deadline on August 30th, with various players still in contention over a move to Goodison Park this summer.

One player has been constantly touted with a move to Merseyside, with a fresh update released about the Toffees’ hunt to win the race for his signature.

Everton to make new bid for £25m attacker

Leeds United’s Wilfried Gnonto is a player who has been linked with a move to Everton during at least the last three transfer windows, with Dyche failing to agree a deal for the Italian on all three attempts.

This summer is no different, with The Athletic recently reporting that the Toffees have already had a £23m bid for the 20-year-old rejected – with no follow-up offer yet to be placed.

However, TEAMtalk have recently reported that a second bid for Gnonto is expected to be submitted, with Daniel Farke’s side holding out for a fee in the region of £25m despite failing to clinch promotion from the Championship last season.

The report also states the Italian remains one of the club’s top targets to improve the wide areas ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, with Gnonto having the ability to be a real success at Goodison should a deal be agreed.

Why Gnonto could form a partnership with Richardson

In another attempt to further bolster his squad, Dyche has set his sights on signing Reims midfielder Amir Richardson this summer, in an attempt to fill the void left by Amadou Onana after his departure to Aston Villa earlier this summer.

The Moroccan has featured for his nation at this summer's Olympic Games, attracting interest from the Toffees alongside a host of other Premier League sides.

However, it's his figures from the 2023/24 campaign in Ligue 1 that could allow the 22-year-old to form an excellent partnership with Gnonto, should they both complete their respective moves to Goodison this summer.

He averaged 4.8 progressive passes and 1.9 progressive carries last season – showcasing his desire to take the ball into forward areas, allowing the Italian to have a pivotal impact in the final third.

Gnonto, who's been described as a “nightmare” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, registered ten goals or assists for Leeds in a wide role, proving he has the ability to create and finish opportunities for Dyche’s side.

He also averaged 2.6 shots per 90, along with 1.5 successful take-ons, potentially allowing the Toffees to increase their Premier League goal tally of just 40 from the last campaign.

It’s evident that the youngster can cause carnage in the final third, potentially reaching the next level should he gain consistent game time and complete a move to Everton.

£25m would be an excellent price for a forward who has proven his talents, but also has a huge ceiling to improve, potentially being one of the standout performers for Dyche’s side in their hunt for a mid-table finish this season.

Everton battling to sign "freak" £10m talent who's better than Onana

The club are looking to replace the Belgian who departed Goodison this summer.

By
Ethan Lamb

Aug 7, 2024

Everton may have been handed an opportunity to land one of their summer targets after his club made him available in the final weeks of the transfer window.

Toffees chasing midfield additions

So far, the only major exit from Sean Dyche's Everton side this summer has been the sale of midfielder Amadou Onana to Premier League rivals Aston Villa in a deal worth £50m. The Belgian had long been linked with an exit amid interest from Arsenal and Chelsea, but it was Unai Emery's side that swooped to sign him in what was Everton's second-largest ever sale.

But he has left a hole in Dyche's squad, with the 22-year-old having started 23 Premier League games last season and making 30 appearances in total, during which time he contributed two goals.

The Toffees have addressed his exit somewhat with the arrival of midfielder Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa, but they are still on the hunt for reinforcements. However, they are missing out on their targets. Dyche's side were keen on signing Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City, but the England international is now set to complete a move to newly-promoted Ipswich Town and is undergoing a medical in Suffolk on Thursday.

The Portman Road side may also prove a problem in Everton's chase for Napoli midfielder Jens Cajuste, with Kieran McKenna's side having agreed a deal with Napoli over a loan deal with no option to buy, and Cajuste reportedly "keen on the move". Should they miss out on both targets, a new option has now been touted as a potential solution in the centre of midfield.

Everton target athletic midfielder

That comes courtesy of TEAMtalk, who report that the Toffees are keeping a close eye on Chelsea midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu, who is available just 12 months on from signing for the Blues.

Everton offered chance to sign forward with Marseille deal set to collapse

The Toffees have been offered the chance to improve their forward line.

By
Brett Worthington

Aug 15, 2024

The 20-year-old midfielder impressed at Rennes, persuading Chelsea to spend £25m on his services a year ago. However, he managed just 15 appearances in his first season for the Blues, and the presence of Carney Chukwuemeka, Romeo Lavia and others behind first choice pair Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo at Stamford Bridge means that his first team opportunities look limited.

And the report claims that "Chelsea are prepared to cut their losses and try and sell him this summer", though they will not get anything like their initial outlay back despite the midfielder still having six years left to run on his £45,000 a week deal in west London.

Perhaps more pertinently in the case of Everton, it is added that "Chelsea are open to a loan move", with Ugochukwu himself being told to find a new club before the August 30th deadline. Still just 20 years old, the French U21 international was described as a player with "insane athletic ability" by football analyst Ben Mattinson on X during his time at Rennes.

Discussing him and teammate Jeremy Doku, Mattinson explained: "Both would [provide] insane athletic ability and technical ability. Very high ceiling players if deployed in a system that utilises their strengths better."

Certainly, athleticism is something that Dyche builds all of his sides on, with his pre-season drills infamous. New signing Iliman Ndiaye revealed what happened this summer, explaining that "it's a lot of running and no footballs."

With that in mind, a loan move for the Chelsea man could be a perfect late window addition for the Toffees.

Gary Lineker has revealed that he turned down a reality show offer after confirming Match of the Day exit, with a “joke” appearance fee demand made.

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• Stepping down as MOTD host after 25 years
• Ready to embrace a new challenge
• Will not be entering the Big Brother house

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The former England international will be stepping down as host of the BBC’s flagship Premier League highlights show at the end of the current campaign – having spent 25 years filling that seat. The 64-year-old is ready to embrace new challenges, having already branched out into the world of podcasts.

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  THE GOSSIP

  With it announced that he will be severing ties with the BBC, rival broadcasters have been making a play for Lineker. ITV – who recently paid Coleen Rooney a reported £1.5 million to appear on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here – were keen to make a notable booking for their 2025 instalment of Celebrity Big Brother.

• WHAT LINEKER SAID

  Lineker has told podcast of how his representative responded to that approach: "My agent sent it through, and then jokingly he replied, ‘Oh, yes. Gary's fee will be £50 million!’ He did it completely as a joke, obviously. And they came back said, ‘Oh, that's a little bit…that's not within our budget’.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Quizzed on whether he may be tempted to enter the Big Brother house at some stage in the near future, Lineker added: “I can tell you now, don't bother asking.”

The striker sparkled as Carlo Ancelotti's side eased their way to three points, and worked their way firmly back into the title race

Kylian Mbappe turned in a wonderful striking performance, while the rest of the Real Madrid attack hummed around him as Los Blancos eased their way to a 4-2 win over an admittedly poor Sevilla side. The Frenchman scored the first, and was involved in the other three, marking perhaps his best showing in white to date. Carlo Ancelotti will be annoyed that his side conceded twice, but this was otherwise a remarkably efficient attacking performance.

It didn't take long for Madrid to find their flow. Los Blancos were on it from the first minute, and, if anything, it was a surprise that the first goal didn't come before the 10 minute mark. It was a wonderful one, though. Mbappe provided the first, an outrageous spank into the top corner from outside the box.

The second came soon after, Federico Valverde smashing on in from outside the box after a well-worked corner routine. Rodrygo made it three about 34 minutes, completing a wonderful team goal with a calm finish.

There was a Madrid blip, though, Isaac Romero pulling one back after getting concerningly open on a simple cross and header. That proved to be little more than an annoyance, though. Brahim Diaz bagged the fourth, redeeming an otherwise quiet performance with a fine combination and dink to put the game beyond reach. Los Blancos saw the game out after that. Mbappe had a couple of half chances, while some more incisive passing might have generated a chance or two. Still, those did little to impact what was an otherwise wonderful day for Carlo Ancelotti and Co., who are really starting to find their stride in La Liga.

GOAL rates Sevilla's players from the Santiago Bernabeu…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Thibaut Courtois (6/10):

  Basically nothing to do other than the two goals. Perhaps could have denied the second goal.

  Lucas Vazquez (7/10):

  Spent most of his time in the attacking third, and never stopped running.

  Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):

  Much improved at centre back, especially in terms of his box defending. Not a long-term solution by any means, but better.

  Antonio Rudiger (7/10):

  Lost track of his man on Sevilla's goal, otherwise as solid as usual.

  Eduardo Camavinga (6/10):

  A return to left back, where he looked very comfortable.

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  Midfield

  Dani Ceballos (6/10):

  Composed at the base of midfield. Kept it tidy, and ensured that the ball moved.

  Federico Valverde (7/10):

  Gabbed his fifth goal of the year, ate up ground. Quality.

  Jude Bellingham (8/10):

  Wonderful throughout. Showed excellent work rate, and made all kinds of dangerous runs.

  Brahim Diaz (7/10):

  Sparingly involved before capping off a delightful team goal to make it four.

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  Attack

  Rodrygo (8/10):

  Absolutely everywhere in the attack, and got himself on the scoresheet in style. A real return to form.

  Kylian Mbappe (8/10):

  A buzzing presence through the centre. Scored a wonderful goal, and could've had one or two more.

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  Subs & Manager

  Luka Modric (6/10):

  Came on, floated around, helped kill the game.

  Arda Guler (N/A):

  Didn't get involved too much

  Raul Asencio (N/A):

  Solid at right-back off the bench.

  Carlo Ancelotti (8/10):

  Went with a strong XI despite having to deal with a trip to Qatar four days before. This is exactly the kind of Madrid he would have envisioned before the season starts. Be afraid, La Liga.