Real Madrid player ratings vs Kashima Antlers: Bale bags a hat-trick

(Top L to R) Real Madrid's Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid's Spanish defender Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid's German midfielder Toni Kroos, Real Madrid's French defender Raphael Varane, Real Madrid's Spanish midfielder Marcos Llorente, Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema, (bottom L to R) Real Madrid's Spanish midfielder Lucas Vazquez, Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale, Real Madrid's Brazilian defender Marcelo, Real Madrid's Spanish defender Dani Carvajal and Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric pose for a group picture during the semi final football match of the FIFA Club World Cup 2018 tournament between Japan's Kashima Antlers and Spain's Real Madrid at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, on December 19, 2018. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images)
(Top L to R) Real Madrid's Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid's Spanish defender Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid's German midfielder Toni Kroos, Real Madrid's French defender Raphael Varane, Real Madrid's Spanish midfielder Marcos Llorente, Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema, (bottom L to R) Real Madrid's Spanish midfielder Lucas Vazquez, Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale, Real Madrid's Brazilian defender Marcelo, Real Madrid's Spanish defender Dani Carvajal and Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric pose for a group picture during the semi final football match of the FIFA Club World Cup 2018 tournament between Japan's Kashima Antlers and Spain's Real Madrid at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, on December 19, 2018. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images) /
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 19: Isco of Real Madrid and Jung Seung Hyun of Kashima Antlers compete for the ball during the match between Kashima Antlers and Real Madrid on December 19, 2018 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 19: Isco of Real Madrid and Jung Seung Hyun of Kashima Antlers compete for the ball during the match between Kashima Antlers and Real Madrid on December 19, 2018 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /

Midfielder- Marco Asensio- Not Available

Marco Asensio was the first substitution made by Santiago Solari. Once he was introduced, Los Blancos switched to a 4-3-2-1. However, the Spain international’s evening was cut short after he pulled an injury to what looked like his hamstring. With a lot of games on the horizon in January, Real Madrid will hope that Asensio gets well soon.

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Midfielder- Isco Alarcon- 7.5/10

Isco Alarcon seems to have been at a cross with Santiago Solari ever since the Argentinian was appointed as the Real Madrid manager. He has been limited to playing as a substitute and did so in the Kashima game for around 15 minutes. Isco was really good and played a fluid style of football. If he can continue playing this way, then Solari may start him more often.

Midfielder- Casemiro- 7/10

Casemiro played his first match since injuring himself five weeks gago and was the final player brought in by Santiago Solari against Kashima Antlers. He burst onto the scene with a magnificent slide tackle. With Carvajal and Marcelo now the full backs in a 3-4-3, Casemiro played as a central defender along with Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos.

5 talking points as Real Madrid beat Kashima Antlers. dark. Next

Manager- Santiago Solari- 8/10

Santiago Solari marched to another win as the Real Madrid boss and made it ten wins in twelve matches at the match. The 42-year-old has his eyes firmly set on the piece of silverware that is up for grabs on Saturday. The team setup was great from Solari as were his calls of resting some key players for the final and playing conservative in the last half an hour.