Madrid, October 16 (BNA): Real Madrid won the first “clasico” of the season to top the Spanish league and handed Barcelona another painful blow, three days after the Catalan club’s hopes of progressing in the Champions League ended. .
Karim Benzema and Federico Valverde scored the first half goals and Rodrygo added another goal in stoppage time in the second half, as the defending champions won 3-1 on Sunday to take a three-point lead over Barcelona. The two opponents entered the match with a tie on points, and Barcelona lead by goal difference.
It was Real Madrid’s sixth win in the last seven “El Clasico”, although it was an embarrassing 4-0 the last time the two teams met at the Santiago Bernabeu last season, according to the Associated Press.
Sunday’s defeat was another disappointing setback for Barcelona, after they drew 3-3 against Inter Milan at home on Wednesday, effectively exiting the Champions League with two rounds of the group stage.
Barcelona did not advance to the knockout stage last season, their first without Lionel Messi, but the elimination this time around would be very disappointing given that the club continued to spend to strengthen its squad with players like Roberto Lewandowski and Rafinha.
Lewandowski, the league’s top scorer, missed his biggest chance in the first half, losing aloft near the goal line.
Real Madrid benefited from Barcelona’s defensive suffering and Benzema opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a shot from inside the area, following a rebound from goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen in a one-on-one confrontation with Vinicius Junior. It was Benzema’s first goal in six matches. He also had a goal disallowed for offside in the second half.
Valverde added the lead with a low shot from outside the area directly in the 35th minute, with Ferran Torres returning with a goal for the visitors in the 83rd minute.
Substitute Rodrygo concluded the victory for Madrid by converting a penalty in stoppage time.
Real Madrid were still without injured goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, while Barcelona missed some players due to injuries, and coach Xavi Hernandez had to improvise Jules Conde as central defender.
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