La Liga Top Five, Round 14: Real Madrid rule
After going a goal behind against the Basque outfit, Modric helped rally Real Madrid back into contention by assisting the equaliser with a free-kick into the box for Karim Benzema to chest a finish home, before setting up the second with a neat lay-off for Toni Kross to send a deflected strike pats the keeper. The Croatian would grab a deserved goal - one that would clinch the win for Madrid, with a superb half-volleyed finish into the left corner after the knock down from Benzema. He probably should have had more assists, too, as he sent nine crosses into the box and 19 passes into the final third.
Alaves moved up to 13th in the Spanish Primera Division table after stealing a late 2-0 win away at Eibar, with Joselu coming off the bench to score two within six minutes, with the second coming in injury time. The two finishes were absolutely superb - a lashed first-time strike into the bottom corner after a low cross into the box, and then a composed, curled effort into the right corner from around 12 yards. His introduction into the game changed the dynamic of the proceedings, as he became a pest for Eibar with his presence up top, winning 5 out of 8 duels and 100% of his tackles.
Back to Real Madrid, now, and it would be Benzema's unconventional chested finish beyond the goalkeeper that would get the home side back into things at the Santiago Bernabeu after going behind. Always the provider, as well as the finisher, too, though, the Frenchman would record an assist for the third goal as he unselfishly nodded down a cross for Modric to drill a strike into the left corner. He sent 22 passes into the final third and had 10 touches inside the Sociedad box, while winning the majority of his duels and 100% of his tackles.
No goals or assists for Hazard in the Real Madrid win, but he was still excellent coming inside from that left wing, completing more dribbles (9) than anyone else in La Liga this weekend. In terms of touches inside the opposition box, he had 12, with only Alex Moreno of Betis having more with 13. The Belgian sent 29 passes into the final third and had 82 touches overall, while surprisingly winning 100% of his aerial duels and 18/22 duels. He helped win the ball back with five recoveries, too.
Levante moved into the top half of the table after a hard-fought 2-1 win at home to Real Mallorca, with Rochina emerging as the match winner with an absolutely stunning 40-yard strike sent visciously into the bottom right corner in the 73rd minute. It was no less than he deserved as he was good up until that point, sending five crosses into the box and 19 passes into the final third. He was effective defensively too as he won 100% of his tackles, 100% of his aerial duels, and made six ball recoveries.
HONOURABLE MENTION
While Joselu will grab the headlines for his two late goals to win the match for Alaves, goalkeeper Fernando Pachecho (8.5) deserves some praise for his clean sheet as he made seven saves throughout the game.
ROUND TO FORGET
Espanyol drew 1-1 with Getafe on Sunday, and were probably lucky to do so after being largely impotent up top, particularly via Victor Campuzano (5), who had zero shots on target, completed zero dribbles, and only had two touches inside the opposition penalty area.