Tracking Real Madrid Player Performances in the World Cup Group Stage
As per Real Madrid’s official website, 12 of the Los Blancos squad will be representing their various nations at this summer’s 2014 World Cup in Brazil:
"[Sergio] Ramos, [Iker] Casillas and Xabi Alonso will try to retain the title with Spain, whilst another six national sides have Madrid players in their squads.
[Luka] Modric (Croatia), [Karim] Benzema and [Raphael] Varane (France), Marcelo (Brazil), [Angel] Di María (Argentina), [Fabio] Coentrao, Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe (Portugal) in addition to [Sami] Khedira (Germany), are the players that have been selected to go.
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A total of seven different countries incorporate Madrid players, and it would be a huge surprise if the majority of them did not advance to the quarterfinal stage of the tournament.
For now, though, each Madrid player will only be concerned with getting out of the group stage.
Over the following slides, which will be updated as the tournament progresses, you can track how each player is getting on in South America.
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored.
Marcelo
1 of 25
Minutes played: 90 (at left-back)
Shots: 1 (0 on target)
Tackles: 3 (plus 1 interception and 1 clearance)
Pass completion: 88 percent of 34 attempted
Unlike his Spanish team-mates at Real Madrid, Marcelo is safely through to the last 16 with Real Madrid.
And since scoring an own goal, which was the first goal of this year's World Cup, Madrid's left-back has got steadily better.
Next up for Marcelo is a South American derby against Chile.
Xabi Alonso
2 of 25
Minutes played: 83 (in the middle of midfield)
Shots: 0
Tackles: 2 (plus 2 interceptions)
Pass completion: 94 percent of 63 attempted
Whether this will be Xabi Alonso's last appearance in a Spain shirt remains to be seen, but he featured for 83 minutes in Spain's final match against Australia.
David Villa will definitely depart international football from here, while it is expected Alonso and Xavi will be among those to follow suit.
Sergio Ramos
3 of 25
Minutes played: 90 (in the middle of defence)
Shots: 1 (0 on target)
Tackles: 4 (1 interception and 9 clearances)
Pass completion: 89 percent of 55 attempted
Sergio Ramos ended Spain's World Cup campaign having played every minute of their three matches in Brazil.
The routine win against Australia will be one of his less memorable competitive internations, though.
Not because the Real Madrid defender didn't play well, but because the la Roja were already eliminated from the tournament prior to kick off.
Cristiano Ronaldo
4 of 25
Minutes played: 90 (as a forward)
Shots: 7 (1 on target)
Tackles: 1 (3 interceptions)
Pass completion: 74 percent of 34 attempted
When the board went up for stoppage time Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal were out of the World Cup.
When the final whistle went, they were back in it, but by the skin of their teeth.
Ronaldo sent in the stoppage-time cross which Silverstre Varela headed in, leaving the Portuguese needing to win their final match against Ghana by a significant scoreline and hoping the Germans can beat USA.
Still, Madrid's No. 7 didn't seem to happy.
"I never thought we could be world champions," he reportedly said, per Goal.
"We have to be humble and know our level. I'm not a hypocrite, I never thought we could win the tournament. Maybe we are an average team."
Sami Khedira
5 of 25
Minutes played: 70 (as a midfielder)
Shots: 1 (1 on target)
Tackles: 0 (1 interception)
Pass completion: 78 percent of 55 attempted
Sami Khedira, at times, looked slightly off the pace in an exhilarating draw between Germany and Ghana on Saturday evening.
On the positive side though, it is another 70 minutes of competitive action.
Having spent so long on the sidelines, that can only act as a good thing as Germany's World Cup looks set to continue into the last 16.
Angel Di Maria
6 of 25
Minutes played: 90 (as a midfielder)
Shots: 3 (1 on target)
Tackles: 4
Pass completion: 73 percent of 45 attempted
Angel Di Maria wasn't able to find the breakthrough as Iran frustrated Argentina, but luckily he can count on Lionel Messi as a colleague.
Once Messi had struck the stoppage-time winner, Di Maria was subbed off to waste a bit of time.
It wasn't the Real Madrid players best game, although it's unlikely to see him lose his place in Alejandro Sabella's side.
Raphael Varane
7 of 25
Minutes played: 90 (as a central defender)
Shots: 0
Tackles: 3 (plus 1 interception and 2 clearances)
Pass completion: 94 percent of 31 attempted
Another World Cup game, another 90 minutes for Real Madrid's young defender.
With France's campaign beginning to look like it should be taken seriously, this could end up being a landmark summer for the 21-year-old.
Complacency took hold of him and his teammates late on, but by that point they were already 5-0 up.
Karim Benzema
8 of 25
Minutes played: 90 (as a forward)
Shots: 8 (5 on target)
Tackles: 1
Pass completion: 96 percent of 25 attempted (6 key passes)
Karim Benzema is enjoying a fantastic World Cup and he ran riot against Switzerland on Friday.
He only has one goal to show for his efforts, which came from a fabulous Paul Pogba through ball, but he should have had more.
In the first half he missed a penalty and then, on the stroke of the full time whistle he scored again, only for it to be ruled too late.
Luka Modric
9 of 25
Minutes played: 90 (at left-back)
Shots: 1 (0 on target)
Tackles: 2 (plus 2 interceptions)
Pass completion: 84 percent of 64 attempted
Midfield duo Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, of Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, were at the heart of Croatia's stroll against Cameroon, even if they were not necessarily the headline writers.
The Croatians now have a mouthwatering tie to come against Mexico, knowing that they have to win if they want to add their name to the list of teams in the last 16.
Modric will be key.
Iker Casillas
10 of 25
Minutes played: 90 (in goal)
Pass completion: 57 percent of 14 attempted
Iker Casillas flapped at an Alexis Sanchez free-kick and was too slow to react to the toe-poked rebound from Charles Aranguiz.
Spain were 2-0 down and Casillas' disappointing showing against Holland had prolonged into the second match.
After the game, San Iker refused to be drawn on if he has a future with Spain after the World Cup.
"I don't know," Sport reported he said. "I really don't know."
Sergio Ramos
11 of 25
Minutes played: 90 (in defence)
Shots: 4 (2 on target)
Tackles: 5 (plus 3 interceptions)
Pass completion: 80 percent of 70 attempted
During the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 combined, Spain conceded just three goals.
After leaking two more, they have already conceded seven in Brazil with one more match still to be played.
Sergio Ramos was all heart, and he never gave up, but ultimately he didn't have enough in the tank to halt Spain slipping out of the tournament in the group stage.
Xabi Alonso
12 of 25
Minutes played: 45 (in midfield)
Shots: 2 (1 on target)
Tackles: 2 (plus 1 interception)
Pass completion: 86 percent of 36 attempted
Xabi Alonso had a disappointing evening as Spain crashed out of the World Cup.
His sloppy pass let Chile in for their opening goal, he was booked and then taken off as half time after looking worryingly of the pace.
Speaking after the match, the Real Madrid midfielder said that la Roja were not "mentally prepared and weren't hungry enough", per Sport.
Marcelo
13 of 25
Minutes played: 90 (at left-back)
Touches: 86 (more than any other Brazilian on the night)
Shots: 1 (0 on target)
Tackles: 1 (plus 2 interceptions)
Pass completion: 87 percent of 60 attempted
Real Madrid's Brazilian left-back was involved in his nation's disappointing 0-0 draw with Mexico at the World Cup on Tuesday night.
Nobody touched the ball more than him either.
It was a far improved performance from the one he put in against Croatia, however he was unable to inspire Brazil to victory down the left hand side.
Sami Khedira
14 of 25
Minutes played: 90 (in central midfield)
Shots: 1 (0 on target)
Tackles: 1 (plus 1 interception and 4 clearances)
Pass completion: 92 percent of 51 attempted
When Sami Khedira got injured while on international duty for Germany last year, his participation in this summer's World Cup looked unlikely.
However he worked hard and returned to start for Real Madrid in the Champions League final and on Tuesday evening he found himself starting for his country against Portugal.
He could have found himself on the score sheet too.
Portugal keeper Rui Patricio mis-kicked a clearance, presenting Khedira had the chance to drill the ball into an empty net from 20-yard, but he dragged the ball marginally wide.
Defensively he was hardly troubled by a disappointing Portugal side.
Cristiano Ronaldo
15 of 25
Minutes played: 90 (as a forward)
Shots: 7 (2 on target)
Tackles: 1 (plus 1 clearance)
Pass completion: 84 percent of 25 attempted
Ballon d'Or and Champions League winner Cristiano Ronaldo's hopes of adding the World Cup to his list of honours got off to a dreadful start in Brazil on Monday night.
Despite having seven shots, he failed to really threaten a German back-line which featured four central defenders and no full-backs.
Perhaps the most memorable Ronaldo moment to come from this game was the late free-kick he fired into the wall before remonstrating with the referee that it had caught a hand.
Pepe
16 of 25
Minutes played: 37 (in the middle of defence)
Shots: 0
Tackles: 0 (but made 1 interception and 6 clearances)
Pass completion: 81 percent of 16 attempted
Pepe was sent off in Portugal's defeat to Germany and will miss his nation's next match against the USA.
The Real Madrid defender received a straight red for shoving his head into hat-trick hero Thomas Müller's face in the first half.
Some claimed Müller overacted, but The Telegraph's Paul Hayward insists Pepe only has himself to blame:
"Pepe displayed his old violent self. Marching up to Müller, he leant down and butted him lightly on the head while firing off verbal abuse.
To attack Müller (however lightly) right in front of the referee stretches the definition of stupidity.
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Fabio Coentrao
17 of 25
Minutes played: 65 (at left-back)
Shots: 0
Tackles: 1
Pass completion: 91 percent of 33 attempted
Fabio Coentrao's continued participation at the World Cup is in doubt after he was forced off injured in Portugal's opener against Germany.
Already down to 10 men and losing, the Real Madrid full-back was taken off just after the hour.
Portugal doctor Henrique Jones, per @Portu_goal, has already confirmed that "Coentrao will be out of action for a minimum of 10 days."
Angel Di Maria
18 of 25
Minutes played: 90 (in central midfield)
Shots: 1 (0 on target)
Tackles: 3
Pass completion: 85 percent of 59 attempted
Angel Di Maria became the eighth Real Madrid player to start for his country at the World Cup in Argentina's win over Bosnia, with the final four set to feature in the match between Portugal and Germany on Monday evening.
It wasn't a vintage performance from the 26-year-old though, even if he did manage to squeeze in several rabonas.
His energy, as usual, was evident, but he lacked a final ball and his decision making was slightly skewed at time.
It was a similar story for many of his colleagues in an off-colour performance from Argentina despite the win.
Karim Benzema
19 of 25
Minutes played: 90 (as a striker)
Shots: 7 (3 on target and 2 goals scored)
Tackles: 0
Pass completion: 65 percent of 37 attempted
Karim Benzema was the star of the show as France swept aside Honduras in their World Cup opener in Group E.
After Paul Pogba won a penalty in the first half, which led to the dismissal of Wilson Palacios for a second booking, the Madrid forward fired the ball into the net from 12 yards.
He was also the protagonist for France's second goal. His shot hit the post, but as it bounced back into play it hit the Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares and ended up in the back of the net.
Benzema then completed the rout when he lashed home inside the penalty box after the Hondurans failed to clear a French corner.
Raphael Varane
20 of 25
Minutes played: 90 (in the middle of defence)
Shots: 0
Tackles: 2 (and 1 interception)
Pass completion: 97 percent of 61 attempted
Raphael Varane didn't have a great to do, but he and his defensive colleagues will have been happy to open the World Cup with a clean sheet—even if it was against a poor Honduras attacking unit.
He did get lucky at one point in the second half though.
Admittedly with France already comfortably ahead, the 21-year-old pushed Carlos Costly in the area and was fortunate not to give away a penalty.
Iker Casillas
21 of 25
Game: Spain's 5-1 loss vs. Holland
Minutes played: 90 (in goal)
Touches: 20 (less than any Spanish starter)
Pass completion: 100 percent of seven attempted
Iker Casillas did not experience one of his finer nights as Spain's World Cup defence got off to the worst possible start against Holland.
The Real Madrid keeper was at fault for the fourth goal la Roja conceded, mis-controlling a Sergio Ramos backpass and allowing Manchester United striker Robin van Persie the simplest of finishes.
Sergio Ramos
22 of 25
Game: Spain's 5-1 loss vs. Holland
Minutes played: 90 (at centre-back)
Shots: 2
Tackles: 2 (and 2 interceptions)
Pass completion: 87 percent of 69 attempted
If it was a bad night for Iker Casillas, it was equally as bad for Sergio Ramos.
The Madrid defender looked like he'd never played with Gerard Pique at times, and must take his share of the responsibility for the five goals leaked by Spain on the night.
He lost Robin van Persie in the build up to Holland's equaliser, although Pique played him onside, and was also the man who played the pass which Casillas gifted to the same player.
Xabi Alonso
23 of 25
Game: Spain's 5-1 loss vs. Holland
Minutes played: 63 (in central midfield)
Shots: 1
Tackles: 1 (and 1 effective clearance)
Pass completion: 87 percent of 60 attempted
Xabi Alonso's World Cup got off to a good start when he stroked home from the penalty spot to give Spain a deserved first half lead.
He dispatched low to Jasper Cillessen's right, giving the Dutch keepe little chance.
However he was taken off for Pedro when Spain went 2-1 down and you could say he was fortunate not to be on the pitch considering how the game unfolded from that point onwards.
Marcelo
24 of 25
Game: Brazil’s 3-1 win vs. Croatia
Minutes played: 90 (at left-back)
Shots: 0
Tackles: 1 (and 2 interceptions)
Pass completion: 89 percent of 46 attempted
Marcelo had a nightmare start to the World Cup in his homeland.
With just 11 minutes on the clock in the opening game of the tournament, the 26-year-old turned the ball beyond Julio Cesar and into his own net to gift Croatia the lead.
Brazil fought back, equalising through Neymar, before the same man put the hosts ahead after they were awarded a controversial penalty by Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura.
Oscar added the gloss late on, but it wasn’t a particularly impressive performance from Marcelo overall.
Luka Modric
25 of 25
Game: Croatia’s 3-1 defeat vs. Brazil
Minutes played: 90 (in central midfield)
Touches: 72 (Joint-highest in the Croatian side with Sime Vrsaljko)
Shots: 1
Tackles: 0 (but made 3 interceptions)
Pass completion: 89 percent of 57 attempted
Luka Modric didn’t exactly shine in Croatia’s opening-game loss to the Brazilians, but there is a case to be made that he was the best midfielder on show.
He looked more at home in the middle of the park than Sevilla midfielder Ivan Rakitic, who is set to complete a move to Barcelona this week, per Spanish publication SPORT, and it has been suggested he would improve the Spanish side.
Creatively, he wasn’t overly involved, although there should be plenty more to come from Modric in the upcoming games against Mexico and Cameroon.
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