The 250th instalment of the El Clasico lived up to the hype as reigning champions Real Madrid defeat eternal rivals and Catalan giants FC Barcelona 3-1 in their top-of-the-table La Liga clash at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts were dominant and were clinical in the opening period as Karim Benzema found the back of the net in the 12th minute, while Federico Valverde doubled their advantage in the 35th minute as Los Blancos went into the break with the lead.
The second half saw the Catalans trying to find a way into the encounter – which they did late on through Ferran Torres, but Brazilian youngster Rodrygo converted a penalty to give Carlo Ancelotti’s men all three points plus bragging rights as they opened up a three-point lead at the top of the table.
🔴 Live Blog:
FULL-TIME AT ESTADIO SANTIAGO BERNABEU: Real Madrid 3-1 FC Barcelona
90+1 MIN: Rodrygo makes no mistake from the spot, as he secures the points for Los Blancos.
GOOOAAALLL!!! Real Madrid 3-1 FC Barcelona (Rodrygo)
PENALTY!!! To Real Madrid
83′ MIN: Second half substitute Ferran Torres reduces the deficit for the visitors.
GOOOAAALLL!!! Real Madrid 2-1 FC Barcelona (F. Torres)
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY AT THE ESTADIO SANTIAGO BERNABEU: Real Madrid 2-0 FC Barcelona
HALF-TIME AT THE ESTADIO SANTIAGO BERNABEU: Real Madrid 2-0 FC Barcelona
35′ MIN: Another lightning move from the hosts sees Uruguayan international Fede Valverde double the lead, off an assist from Ferland Mendy.
GOOOAAALLL!!! Real Madrid 2-0 FC Barcelona (F. Valverde)
12′ MIN: Real Madrid break down the left as Vinicius Junior gets in behind, after a great pass from Toni Kroos. Vinicius’ effort is initially saved by Ter Stegen but Karim Benzema converts the rebound.
GOOOAAALLL!!! Real Madrid 1-0 FC Barcelona (K. Benzema)
KICK-OFF AT THE ESTADIO SANTIAGO BERNABEU: Real Madrid 0-0 FC Barcelona
The visitors have Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele in attack, Frenkie de Jong starts in midfield while Jules Kounde returns in defence.
Karim Benzema leads the attack for Los Blancos, ably supported by Vinicius Jr who was rested in midweek and Fede Valverde. Lunin is in goal in place of the injured Thibaut Courtois, while Antonio Rudiger and Rodrygo are on the bench.
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