Real Madrid defeated Barcelona in El Clasico on Sunday afternoon, 3-1, moving them back above Barcelona to the top of the La Liga standings.
For Carlo Ancelotti’s team, goals from Karim Benzema, Federico Valverde, and Rodrygo brought an end to a dismal few days for Barcelona, who saw their chances of moving on to the last-16 stage of the Champions League severely damaged by a home draw against Inter Milan on Wednesday. Xavi’s team held a goal-difference advantage going into the match on Sunday at the Bernabeu, and they had plenty of chances throughout the course of the 90 minutes.
However, Real Madrid’s superior finishing on the day separated the two teams. After some deft work from Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha made the game’s first attempt in the fifth minute, but Andriy Lunin was there to stop him.
Later, with the visitors dominating the opening phase of the season’s first Clasico, Robert Lewandowski saw a shot deflected by David Alaba wide of the Real Madrid goal.
However, it was Real Madrid who scored the game’s first goal in the 12th minute when Vinicius Junior’s shot was saved right into Benzema’s path. Benzema then managed to sneak the ball past the Barcelona defenders who were chasing the ball back towards their own goal.
Raphinha’s driving cross from the right wing should have been met by Lewandowski in the 25th minute, but the Poland international inexplicably missed the goal. Two minutes later, Ousmane Dembele headed over the crossbar.
Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona: The Los Blancos top the La Liga table
However, Real Madrid scored their second goal of the game in the 35th minute when Ferland Mendy found Valverde, who made a spectacular effort to find the bottom corner.
From the opening kickoff, Frenkie de Jong had a chance to cut the deficit when he broke into a shooting position, but Lunin palmed the Dutchman’s effort away. Later in the half, Lewandowski turned a Sergio Busquets header wide of the post, leaving Los Blancos ahead by two goals.
However, Real Madrid scored their second goal of the game in the 35th minute when Ferland Mendy found Valverde, who made a spectacular effort to find the bottom corner.
From the opening kickoff, Frenkie de Jong had a chance to cut the deficit when he broke into a shooting position, but Lunin palmed the Dutchman’s effort away. Later in the half, Lewandowski turned a Sergio Busquets header wide of the post, leaving Los Blancos ahead by two goals.
In the 52nd minute, Benzema again had the ball in the net for Ancelotti’s team, but the striker’s goal was disallowed for offside.
Ansu Fati of Barcelona nearly put Barcelona ahead in the 78th minute, but his curling shot narrowly missed the goal post.
At the end, Xavi’s team found a way past Lunin via Ferran Torres with Fati delivering a low cross that was intended for Lewandowski, but the Spaniard put the finishing touch at the far post.
But in injury time, Rodrygo scored from the spot for Real Madrid to secure the victory, making the score 3-1 after Eric Garcia fouled the Brazilian.
For more Sports updates please follow us on Twitter
