Karim Benzema scores opener as Real Madrid humbled Barcelona in the El Clasico at Santiago Bernabeu to return to the top spot in the La Liga.
Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Tchouaméni, Kroos, Modric, Valverde; Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Kounde, Eric García, Balde; Busquets, Pedri, De Jong; Dembélé, Raphinha and Lewandowski.
It was a battle of who stays at the top of La Liga with goal difference separating both teams before the match.
The first half began with Barcelona dominating possession. The Catalans needed to bounce back from a disappointing Champions League result against Inter Milan.
The visitors dominated possession and mounted pressure on Real Madrid’s defense in the opening minutes.
Dembele nearly silenced the loud Bernabeu crowd befor he was flagged offside in the 9th minute.
Despite playing second fiddle with the ball possession, Real Madrid were the real danger when charging forward with the ball.
In the 12th minute, Benzema got an opener for the La Liga 2021/22 champions to send the Bernabeu crowd wild.
Ter Stegen saved Vinicius’ strike, but he parried the ball to Karim Benzema, who slotted it into an open net to give Real Madrid the lead.
Barcelona still took charge of the game in terms of ball possession but could not break through the Real Madrid defense.
The Catalans tried to fight back into the game and level things.
It was a big miss for Robert Lewandowski in the 26th minute.
He perfectly located Raphinha’s cross in the box, but his first-time effort flew over the bar.
Despite pinning Real Madrid, including their forwards, into their own half, The Los Blancos utilized their wingback Valverde to get their second goal.
Mendy had located Valverde on the flanks. He picked his pace up and was not closed down before firing into the net.
Barcelona ramped up efforts to find an equaliser, all to no avail, as the first half ended with a 2-0 lead for the hosts.
The second half started with Real Madrid contesting for more ball possession and pressing for a third.
Benzema had nearly secured his brace in the 52nd minute when it was ruled out as an offside.
After a while, it was Barcelona back to their possession and dominating the game once more as it progressed.
Xavi made some changes to break the goal deadlock and convert over 63 percent of the possession to a goal.
Real Madrid held on despite mounting pressure, but they rarely made inroads into their opponent’s half.
Barcelona finally had their first goal in the 83rd minute. It was Ferran Torres who pulled one back for the visitors.
Real Madrid retreated into the defense with less than 6 minutes to play.
It was Barcelona on a rampage all through the last minute of the game. But it was a nightmare for the Catalans in the 90+2 minute.
The last-chance attack by Real Madrid saw Rodrygo brought down in the box. After the VAR check, a penalty was awarded.
Rodrygo effortlessly converted the spot kick to take the scoreline to 3-1 in the 90+2 minutes.
The match ended on a disappointing note for Xavi again, as they forfeited the top spot for Real Madrid, who now went three points clear of the La Liga table.
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