Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 3-1 in the 250th El Clásico to reclaim first place in La Liga. The league champions handed the Blaugrana their first league loss by avenging their defeat from this match last season at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
All eyes were on Xavi’s team selection for his 50th game as manager after Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League chances were left hanging by a thread following a brutal draw with Inter Milan. Sergi Roberto was the goal of Los Blancos, who used Vincius Jnior’s quickness to close the gap behind the Spaniard. That paid off almost away, as Real seized the lead after the Brazilian broke through on the left and forced Marc-André ter Stegen to make a stop before Karim Benzema hammered home the rebound to break a five-game goalless streak.
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Through the usually deadly striker Robert Lewandowski, the visitors missed a fantastic opportunity to tie the score. The Poland captain was well positioned at the back post for Raphinha’s low cross from the right, but he misfired. The deadly champions of Carlo Ancelotti would swiftly punish that error, as a quick counter allowed Federico Valverde the space on the outskirts of the area to unleash a ferocious drive that was too hot to handle, giving Real a two-goal lead at halftime.
The Galacticos were content to give up the majority of possession and attack on the break because the hosts’ strategies were ideal for preserving their advantage. Soon after the restart, Benzema scored, but the offside flag kept Barcelona in the game. With more alternatives on his bench, Xavi made three substitutions around the hour mark to try and tip the odds in his favor, but the chances for his team looked slim since the first goal scorer had won each of the previous seven Clásico matches played here.
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Two of Barcelona’s substitutes worked together to cut the deficit and raise tensions around the Bernabéu as the likelihood of a comeback was fading. On the left, Ansu Fati sprinted past his defender with reasonable ease before launching a low cross to the back post, where Ferran Torres was ready to slide home. The visitors’ pressure was relieved when Rodrygo was fouled by Eric Garca in stoppage time and was awarded a penalty. The Brazilian took the initiative and scored from 12 yards to give his team their fifth head-to-head triumph in the previous six La Liga matches.
