Celta Vigo 1-3 Real Madrid: Player ratings as Karim Benzema fires Los Blancos closer to La Liga summit

Real Madrid inched closer to the top of La Liga with a 3-1 victory over Celta Vigo on Saturday afternoon, all thanks to another Karim Benzema masterclass.

Los Blancos broke the deadlock on 20 minutes, when Benzema was found in a tiny pocket of space in the penalty area, and the Frenchman swivelled and calmly slotted the ball into the far corner with wonderful precision.

The Madrid striker was at it again on the half-hour mark, reacting quickest to Toni Kroos pinching the ball on the edge of the penalty area to tuck his effort beyond Ivan Villar in the Celta Vigo net.

But Los Merengues didn't have it all their own way, and Celta Vigo striker Santi Mina brought the hosts within one goal with a deft header, which dropped perfectly into Thibaut Courtois' far corner.

Madrid remained relatively in control of the second half, although Celta Vigo did hit the post late on through a Iago Aspas free-kick. Zinedine Zidane's men survived that scare however, and wrapped up the three points through Marco Asensio's close-range tap-in, following a lovely Benzema cross.

Let's take a look at Los Blancos' player ratings from Saturday's victory.

Real Madrid player ratings

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Thibaut Courtois (GK) - 7/10 - Little the Belgian could do about Mina's inch-perfect header - even at full stretch, he got nowhere near it. Palmed away a decent strike in the second half to keep Madrid in front.

Lucas Vazquez (RB) - 7/10 - Offered a typically industrious buzz and pace to his play, putting in the miles while darting up and down the right flank. Provided the kind of service Benzema craves.

Nacho Fernandez (CB) - 8/10 - Another impressive afternoon from the Madrid star. Versatile and comfortable at the heart of the backline. An unlikely hero from this title defence attempt.

Raphael Varane (CB) - 7/10 - Looked livid with his teammates for allowing Mina to walk free in the penalty area for his header. Led in Sergio Ramos' absence, delivering a commanding display.

Ferland Mendy (LB) - 7/10 - Didn't have as much success on that left-hand side, but remained resolute in his defending to keep Celta quiet. Some nice moments in the second half.

2. Midfielders

Federico Valverde (CM) - 7/10 - Allowed Modric to play a more advanced and freer game by acting as another destroyer in the middle. A tireless 90 minutes from a man rediscovering his best form.

Casemiro (CM) - 8/10 - Didn't pose too much of a threat with his aerial presence, but stuck to his defensive duties expertly. A dogged and much-needed display in the heart of the midfield.

Toni Kroos (CM) - 8/10 - Threaded the eye of the needle with a beautiful run and pass through to supply Benzema for the opener. Classy as ever. Turned the high press on to maximum to rob his man and gift Benzema the chance to bag his second. Did allow Mina to peel off him for Vigo's first half strike.

Luka Modric (AM) - 7/10 - Not as effective or influential as he was during Madrid's victory over Atalanta. Couldn't find the spaces he was awarded in midweek. Still on form, though.

3. Forwards

Karim Benzema (ST) - 9/10 - The man for every occasion. Came good for Madrid early on, calming the nerves with his ice-cold finish. Equally as fearless with his second chance, dispatching clinically. Glorious stuff. Missed a great opportunity to seal his hat-trick late on, but notched an assist with a delightful cross.

Vinicius Junior (ST) - 6/10 - Earned himself a yellow card with a brutal tackle on the halfway line. Ouch - that's why he's a striker. Wasted a great chance in the second half, and was far too indecisive in front of goal.

4. Substitutes

Marco Asensio (AM) - 7/10