Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti described Rodrygo as a "special forward" after the Brazilian scored the winning goal in the 2-1 La Liga victory over previously unbeaten Real Betis on Saturday.
Vinicius Junior struck for the third game running as Madrid took an early lead at the Santiago Bernabeu, but Sergio Canales soon equalised with a goal against his former club.
Rodrygo secured maximum points for Ancelotti's side just past the hour with his first goal of the campaign as the defending champions made it four wins from four. "He's a special forward because he can play in any position.
He's very quick and very intelligent without the ball," Ancelotti said of Rodrygo, now in his fourth season with Real. "The apprenticeship is over and now he's a Real Madrid player in every way." Madrid moved three points clear of Betis, but Barcelona trimmed the gap to two after beating Sevilla 3-0 in the later game on Saturday.