The headlines might have been won by goalscorers Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, and Tony Kroos and James Rodriguez may have caught the eye with their authority and angles, but the star of the show for Real Madrid in their 3-0 at Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday night was Francisco Román Alarcón Suárez – or Isco.
The 22-year-old offered poise and precision, mobility and movement, composure and creativity – basically, the complete midfield display. Isco’s dominance of the left-hand-side of the park ensured Madrid barely noticed the absence of Gareth Bale, and helped confirm Carlo Ancelotti’s men as the team to beat in this year’s competition.
Here is his performance again. Sit back and enjoy.