Real Madrid return to top of La Liga with victory in El Clasico
Real Madrid have moved back above Barcelona to the top of the La Liga table courtesy of a 3-1 victory over their bitter rivals in El Clasico on Sunday afternoon.
Karim Benzema, Federico Valverde and Rodrygo scored the goals for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, and the result capped a miserable few days for Barcelona, who saw their hopes of reaching the last-16 stage of the Champions League seriously damaged by a home draw against Inter Milan on Wednesday.
Xavi’s side were top of the table on goal difference heading into Sunday’s contest at Bernabeu, and they had plenty of chances over the course of the 90 minutes, but Real Madrid’s superior finishing on the afternoon proved to be the difference between the two sides.
The game’s first attempt came in the fifth minute when Raphinha tried his luck after smart work from Frenkie de Jong, but Andriy Lunin was on hand to make the save.
Robert Lewandowski then had a strike deflected wide of the Real Madrid post by David Alaba, with the visitors making a strong start to the first Clasico of the campaign.
It was Real Madrid that made the breakthrough in the 12th minute of the contest, though, when Vinicius Junior’s effort was saved straight into the path of Benzema, who managed to squeeze the ball past the Barcelona defenders who had been chasing back towards their own goal.
Lewandowski should have levelled in the 25th minute when he met a driven cross from Raphinha, but the Poland international somehow missed the target, before Ousmane Dembele headed over the crossbar two minutes later.
Real Madrid had their second of the match in the 35th minute, though, when a smart team move ended with Ferland Mendy finding Valverde, who picked out the bottom corner with a brilliant effort.
Frenkie de Jong had a chance to halve the deficit from the kickoff when he broke into a shooting position, but the Dutchman’s effort was palmed clear by Andriy Lunin, before Lewandowski turned a Sergio Busquets header wide of the post late in the half, with Los Blancos leading by two goals at the interval.
Ancelotti’s side again had the ball in the net in the 52nd minute through Benzema, but the striker’s goal was chalked off due to an offside decision.
Barcelona came close to scoring in the 78th minute through Ansu Fati, but the Spain international’s curling effort just missed the post.
Xavi’s side finally got their name on the scoresheet in the 83rd minute through Ferran Torres, with the Spaniard converting at the far post after Fati had delivered a low cross which was intended for Lewandowski.
Real Madrid made sure of the points from the penalty spot in stoppage time, though, with Rodrygo finding the back of the net for 3-1 after Eric Garcia had fouled the Brazilian.
