Real Madrid:Casillas 7, Carvajal 7, Ramos 6, Pepe 7, Marcelo 6, Kroos 7, Modric 7 (Arbeloa, 89), Isco 8 (Illarramendi, 83), Rodriguez 7, Ronaldo 7, Benzema 8 (Khedira, 86)
Barcelona:Bravo 7; Alves 7, Pique 7, Mascherano 6, Mathieu 6; Xavi 6 (Rakitic, 60), Busquets 6, Iniesta 6 (Roberto, 71); Messi 6, Suarez 8 (Pedro, 69), Neymar 8
Real Madrid came from a goal down to thrash Barcelona 3-1 at Santiago Bernabeu as they continue their rich run of form. Luis Suarez made his Classico debut on the losing side. An all round display from the hosts gave them all 3 points and led them closer to the league leaders Barca.
Within 5 minutes, La Bauragana gained a surprise lead as Neymar curled the ball past Iker Casillas. Luis Suarez fed the Brazilian, who took advantage of erroneous defending by Carvajal and Pepe. From then on, Real Madrid went hammer and tongs in the search of an equalizer.
Their efforts bore fruit as Gerrard Pique gifted a penalty in 35th minute. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up and leveled the score by thumping ball past Barca’s keeper Bravo. This was the first goal conceded by Barcelona in La Liga for the season.
The first half was evenly contested but the second half was all Real Madrid. Los Blancos scored in the 51st minute via a corner as Pepe registered himself on the scoresheet with a bullet header. Real Madrid then elected to play on counter after scoring their second. And it paid rich dividends as Barcelona conceded their third on counter led by Isco and Ronaldo.
Ronaldo fed ball to James, who in turn slid in a through ball to Benzema. The Frenchman scored his thirds goal in consecutive games as Real sealed the match. Barcelona’s slow and laborious approach led to their downfall as they lacked zip and pace while going forward.
MOTM Karim Benzema
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