Real Madrid, the defending champions, defeated Barcelona 3-1 in the Clasico on Sunday to pass their arch rivals at the top of La Liga. Fede Valverde scored the second goal from the edge of the box before halftime, following a stop from Vinicius Junior by Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Karim Benzema scored the game’s opening goal in the 12th minute by converting a rebound.
Ansu Fati’s excellent work in the closing minutes allowed Ferran Torres to restore Barcelona’s lead, but Rodrygo won and successfully converted a late penalty to guarantee Carlo Ancelotti’s team suffered Barcelona’s first domestic loss of the year. The Catalans’ seven-game league winning streak was snapped by Madrid, who also added to the still-fresh anguish of their problems in Europe, where they are on the edge of elimination.
Barcelona, which made significant summer purchases in an effort to catch up to its competitors, is now three points behind them. Prior to the Clasico, the Catalans had only given up one league goal in eight games, but they gave up double that amount in the first half, leaving Madrid as the only unbeaten team in the division.
Xavi made adjustments following Barcelona’s European ambitions hanging by a thread following a devastating draw with Inter Milan in the middle of the week.
After missing the match against the Italians due to a costly error, experienced defender Gerard Pique was replaced by Jules Kounde, who returned from injury to bolster the defense.
Ancelotti, Xavi’s adversary, had fewer choices to make: Valverde began in place of Rodrygo on the right side of the attack, and Andriy Lunin took over in goal because Thibaut Courtois was unable to play again due to sciatica.
Barcelona started to gain control of the game after Vinicius received a booking for complaining over Roberto’s push, but another individual mistake quickly cost them the game. As Madrid toyed with Barcelona’s defense, drawing them one way before Ferland Mendy slipped the ball back across for Valverde to punch home from the edge of the area, Eric Garcia’s careless header found Vinicius in a dangerous place.
After the break, Madrid continued to advance, and Benzema curled in a third goal, but it was disallowed for offside. Lewandowski collided with Dani Carvajal in the area and was awarded a free kick at the other end. He also appealed for a penalty, but the referee was uninterested.
Up to Torres’ goal, Madrid were largely at ease, sitting back and keeping Barcelona at a distance. Substitute Fati curled a strike wide from outside the area, but Madrid were otherwise at ease. Barcelona had a chance to recover thanks to Fati’s fantastic run and cross for the Spanish winger, but Madrid clinched the victory when Garcia fouled Rodrygo in the box and he scored from the penalty spot to beat Ter Stegen.
