Luis Suarez scored twice as Barcelona recorded a 4-0 win against Real Madrid in La Liga on Saturday evening.
Suarez opened the scoring in the 11th minute, before Neymar made it 2-0 late in the first period at the Bernabeu.
The hosts attempted to respond in the second half, but it was Barcelona that put the game to bed in the 53rd minute when Andres Iniesta scored his team's third of the match.
Suarez then completed his brace in the 74th minute and it got worse for Real Madrid 10 minutes later when Isco was given his marching orders for kicking out at Neymar when the ball had gone. The result has moved Barcelona six points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table.
Here, Sports Mole has dissected the 90 minutes of action in El Clasico.
Match statistics
REAL MADRID
Shots: 13
On target: 7
Possession: 41%
Corners: 10
Fouls: 13
BARCELONA
Shots: 18
On target: 7
Possession: 59%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 10
Was the result fair?
Statistics rarely paint a false picture in football and one look at the numbers above would suggest that Real Madrid were unlucky to lose at the Bernabeu, certainly by a four-goal margin. The truth is that both teams had chances during what was an explosive contest, but Barcelona missed just as many as Real Madrid and on another night, it could have finished 7-3. As expected, it was a tight opening to the contest, but when Barcelona opened the scoring in the 11th minute, it gave Luis Enrique's side the confidence to push forward and take control of the possession. The game's second goal was always going to be important and when it once more came for Barcelona, it was almost game over in the first period.
Real Madrid did start the second half on the front foot with Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez both coming close, but Iniesta's 53rd-minute strike ended the game as a contest. From that point forward, it was almost a damage limitation exercise, which seems incredible for a team of Real Madrid's stature. As mentioned, both sides had chances to add to the scoring late on, but it was Suarez that added the game's fourth goal in the 74th minute. When taking into account everything that occurred, there is absolutely no question that Barcelona deserved to run out comfortable winners, but a four-goal separation might well be a touch harsh on Real Madrid, who forced some excellent stops from Claudio Bravo in the second period.
Real Madrid's performance
Before the match, there was pressure on Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez to name his strongest team on paper, which would have had to include the likes of Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and James. All three did start, but all three failed to impress due to their lack of football in recent weeks. It was a big ask to expect the trio to come into a match of this magnitude off the back of injury problems and in hindsight, Benitez might feel that he should have gone with the likes of Casemiro and Jese Rodriguez, who have had plenty of game-time this season. Poor defending from the hosts contributed to Barcelona opening the scoring, with Sergio Ramos out of position when Suarez angled one into the bottom corner.
Real Madrid did not really create a chance of note until the 29th minute when James found space outside the box, but his low strike was fairly comfortable for Bravo. Ramos will also have to take some of the blame for Barcelona's second, with the centre-back, who played with a pain-killing injection in his shoulder, keeping Neymar onside following a through pass from Iniesta. As expected, there were whistles at the break as the team left the field. They had been outclassed by the Catalan outfit in the first 45 minutes and the likes of Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema were simply not in the game at that point.
A goal-line clearance from Marcelo stopped Suarez making it 3-0 late in the first period and the hosts started the second half on top, with James, Marcelo and Ronaldo all coming close. The game was put beyond them in the 53rd minute when Iniesta found the top corner, however, and it was an uphill task from then. Ronaldo had another excellent chance in the 69th minute, but the 30-year-old was denied by Bravo, whose performance was outstanding. Barcelona then had their fourth in the 74th minute when Suarez netted his second of the match to rub more salt into the wounds of the damaged hosts.
Benzema and Ronaldo both should have scored late on during a period where both teams were throwing players forward, but Bravo ensured that his clean sheet remained in tact. Little went right for Los Blancos on the night and more question marks will now be placed on Benitez, who was believed to be under severe pressure entering the match, despite the fact that his team had lost just once this season. The home supporters waved their white handkerchiefs at the final whistle on what was a disastrous night at the Bernabeu. It will be fascinating to see what occurs at the Spanish club over the next week.
Barcelona's performance
As expected, Lionel Messi returned to the fold for Barcelona, but the Argentine was named on the bench rather than in the starting XI. It is not as if the Catalan giants have struggled in his absence, however, with Neymar and Suarez both in wonderful form. Sergi Roberto and Iniesta were the two players tasked with linking with the South American pair and that is a tactic that worked for the game's opening goal, with Roberto driving through the heart of the Real Madrid midfield before picking out Suarez. Some players, regardless of their talent, struggle to deal with the atmosphere in a Clasico, but Suarez showed nerves of steel to simply angle one into the bottom corner with the outside of his foot. First blood to the visitors.
Barcelona continued to move the ball in the minutes that followed and another piece of magic saw them take a 2-0 lead, with Iniesta picking out the run of Neymar, who refused to miss from close range. It was the Brazilian's 14th goal of the season and on current form, he has a strong argument to be recognised as the best player in the world. Neymar and Suarez again linked to sensational effect late in the first period, but Suarez's goal-bound header was cleared off the line by Marcelo. At the interval, Enrique's side were in total control of proceedings and threatening to run away with the contest.
The visitors would have expected the response that arrived from Real Madrid after the restart, but they scored their third at the perfect time, with Neymar's wonderful flick falling into the path of Iniesta, who found the top corner with ease. Suarez came close to scoring his second three minutes later, but fired wide of the post, moments before Messi made his return. It did not take long for the Argentine to get up to speed as he effortlessly linked with Neymar and Suarez in the final third. It was Suarez that added gloss to the scoreline in the 74th minute, however, when he scored a brilliant second goal.
Barcelona needed their goalkeeper to make a number of excellent stops, especially in the latter stages, but it was never a game where they threatened to lose control. In midfield, Iniesta and Sergio Busquets were sublime, while Gerard Pique, who was whistled throughout, had a fine game at the heart of the defence. Question marks were placed on the Catalan side at the start of the season, but they are now six points clear at the top of the table as December approaches. In this form and with Messi now returning, they are once again the team to beat in both Spain and indeed European football.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Luis Suarez: It is becoming increasingly difficult to separate Suarez and Neymar at the moment, with the pair both putting in excellent performances week-in week-out for their team. Neymar was once again sublime, but this award must go to Suarez, who showed nerves of steel to score two excellent goals. Real Madrid's back four just could not live with the striker, who was always on the move and always threatening to run behind. There was a lot of controversy surrounding his move last summer, but there will not be a single Barcelona supporter that will say it was not worth it. He tormented Real Madrid all night.
Biggest gaffe
To be blunt, Real Madrid's defending on the whole was pretty dire, with Ramos and Raphael Varane both at fault for the hosts. A number of incidents could be picked out in this category, but Isco's red late on summed up Los Blancos' performance. The Spaniard was not introduced until the 55th minute, but he did not complete the game after lashing out at Neymar in the 84th minute when the ball had gone. It showed a distinct lack of maturity from a player that really should have known better. Frustration was bound to be present, especially in such a red-hot atmosphere, but it was a poor decision from the 23-year-old.
Referee performance
There was a lot of talk about referee David Fernandez before the match, but it was, as far as Clasicos are concerned, quite a calm match in terms of major incidents. The Spaniard only issued five yellow cards and was indeed correct to send Isco from the field late on. Both Real Madrid and Barcelona had strong penalty shouts in the second period through Suarez and Bale, but Fernandez could have done with some help from his officials. On the whole, the experienced referee had a decent night.
What next?
Real Madrid: Los Blancos continue their Champions League Group A campaign away to Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday. Their next La Liga match is away to high-flying Eibar next Sunday.
Barcelona: On Tuesday, Barcelona will welcome Roma to Camp Nou in the Champions League, before continuing their league campaign at home to Real Sociedad next Saturday.
