Real Madrid came from behind to beat Barcelona with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Karim Benzema cancelling out Neymar’s opener.
Neymar got the scoring underway in a thrilling game after cutting inside on Dani Carvajal and away from Pepe, curling into the corner after a cross-field ball by Luis Suarez, who was named from the start by Luis Enrique.
Ronaldo equalised from the spot after a blatant Gerard Pique handball, the defender blocking Marcelo’s cross while on the ground with a save to make Claudio Bravo proud.
Bravo had no chance for the second goal when Pepe was allowed too much space from a Madrid corner and powered a header into the bottom of the goal.
It was three when Andres Iniesta and Javier Mascherano got in a muddle defending a Madrid break from a wasted Barca corner and let Isco run clear. He found Ronaldo, who moved the ball on to James Rodriguez before Benzema found the net via the post.
Suarez was one of a number of surprising Barca picks, including Jordi Alba missing out for Jeremy Mathieu, while Carlo Ancelotti went with the expected XI despite having hinted his line-up would have a surprise.
The game had barely settled when Neymar found the net from Barca’s first real attack. Madrid fought back and put the pressure on, Karim Benzema hitting the crossbar with a header and then clipping the post with the rebound.
Barca rode out the storm and started to get a bit of possession as the first half went on, Iker Casillas keeping out Lionel Messi from point-blank range and Carvajal making a goal-saving tackle to prevent a Neymar tap-in.
Neymar vs. Carvajal was a running battle that saw the Brazilian booked for a flailing arm. Messi was also cautioned after two fouls in quick succession.
Pique became the third Barca player in the book as he gave away the penalty, converted by Ronaldo, Bravo beaten for the first time as a Barca player.
James had a good chance to put Madrid in front at the break but fluffed the header and Pepe showed him how to do it five minutes after the re-start.
Barca’s marking was slack and punished.
Corners were again Barca’s undoing for the third goal, albeit a poor Ivan Rakitic delivery that allowed Madrid to break. Seconds later Benzema was slotting past the helpless Bravo.
Madrid were happy to steal the ball and break after going two goals clear and caused Barca endless problems with that approach. A better final ball – or fewer superb interventions by Mascherano – would have brought more goals.
Matters got even worse for Barca when Andres Iniesta had to be replaced due to a muscle injury, Sergi Roberto coming on for the last 20 minutes. Barca were distinctly lacking dynamism, which could perhaps have been provided if Jordi Alba got a run-out.
Barca proved unable to find a way through a disciplined Madrid defence and were by the final few minutes, reduced to speculative shots from distance, easily fended off.
It was a tepid end to what had been a breathless game, Madrid digging deep to come from behind and Barca seeing their unbeaten – and clean sheet record – smashed in thrilling fashion.
Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona
Neymar 3 (FCB), Ronaldo 35 pen, Pepe 49, Benzema 61 (RM)
Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; James, Modric (Arbeloa 89), Kroos, Isco (Illarra 83); Ronaldo, Benzema (Khedira 86)
Barcelona: Bravo; Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Mathieu; Busquets, Iniesta (Sergi Roberto 72), Xavi (Rakitic 60); Suarez (Pedro 68), Messi, Neymar
Referee: Gil Manzano
Neymar got the scoring underway in a thrilling game after cutting inside on Dani Carvajal and away from Pepe, curling into the corner after a cross-field ball by Luis Suarez, who was named from the start by Luis Enrique.
Ronaldo equalised from the spot after a blatant Gerard Pique handball, the defender blocking Marcelo’s cross while on the ground with a save to make Claudio Bravo proud.
Bravo had no chance for the second goal when Pepe was allowed too much space from a Madrid corner and powered a header into the bottom of the goal.
It was three when Andres Iniesta and Javier Mascherano got in a muddle defending a Madrid break from a wasted Barca corner and let Isco run clear. He found Ronaldo, who moved the ball on to James Rodriguez before Benzema found the net via the post.
Suarez was one of a number of surprising Barca picks, including Jordi Alba missing out for Jeremy Mathieu, while Carlo Ancelotti went with the expected XI despite having hinted his line-up would have a surprise.
The game had barely settled when Neymar found the net from Barca’s first real attack. Madrid fought back and put the pressure on, Karim Benzema hitting the crossbar with a header and then clipping the post with the rebound.
Barca rode out the storm and started to get a bit of possession as the first half went on, Iker Casillas keeping out Lionel Messi from point-blank range and Carvajal making a goal-saving tackle to prevent a Neymar tap-in.
Neymar vs. Carvajal was a running battle that saw the Brazilian booked for a flailing arm. Messi was also cautioned after two fouls in quick succession.
Pique became the third Barca player in the book as he gave away the penalty, converted by Ronaldo, Bravo beaten for the first time as a Barca player.
James had a good chance to put Madrid in front at the break but fluffed the header and Pepe showed him how to do it five minutes after the re-start.
Barca’s marking was slack and punished.
Corners were again Barca’s undoing for the third goal, albeit a poor Ivan Rakitic delivery that allowed Madrid to break. Seconds later Benzema was slotting past the helpless Bravo.
Madrid were happy to steal the ball and break after going two goals clear and caused Barca endless problems with that approach. A better final ball – or fewer superb interventions by Mascherano – would have brought more goals.
Matters got even worse for Barca when Andres Iniesta had to be replaced due to a muscle injury, Sergi Roberto coming on for the last 20 minutes. Barca were distinctly lacking dynamism, which could perhaps have been provided if Jordi Alba got a run-out.
Barca proved unable to find a way through a disciplined Madrid defence and were by the final few minutes, reduced to speculative shots from distance, easily fended off.
It was a tepid end to what had been a breathless game, Madrid digging deep to come from behind and Barca seeing their unbeaten – and clean sheet record – smashed in thrilling fashion.
Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona
Neymar 3 (FCB), Ronaldo 35 pen, Pepe 49, Benzema 61 (RM)
Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; James, Modric (Arbeloa 89), Kroos, Isco (Illarra 83); Ronaldo, Benzema (Khedira 86)
Barcelona: Bravo; Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Mathieu; Busquets, Iniesta (Sergi Roberto 72), Xavi (Rakitic 60); Suarez (Pedro 68), Messi, Neymar
Referee: Gil Manzano
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