REAL BEAT BARCA AND GO TOP

REAL Madrid ended their long wait for an El Clasico victory with a 2-0 win that moved them above their fierce rivals and back to the top of La Liga. Barcelona were unbeaten in the previous seven encounters in all competitions and had not lost to Real in the league since 2016. But Zinedine Zidane’s men found the perfect response to a run of poor form which included a loss at Levante and defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League. Thibaut Courtois had kept Madrid in the match with a handful of fine saves, while at the other end Marc-Andre ter Stegen showed his class with a superb stop to deny Isco. That was before Vinicius made the breakthrough in the 71st minute and substitute Mariano wrapped up the three points in stoppage time. Lionel Messi made a landmark appearance as he became the first Barcelona player to feature in 43 Clasico fixtures, overtaking his former team-mate Xavi. On the periphery early on, he suddenly came into the game. First, he worked Courtois from a tight angle before being denied by the keeper again when one-on-one.

Early in the second half, Ter Stegen diverted Isco’s curling shot away from the top corner and wide. Isco managed to beat him on the hour mark but his header was cleared off the line by Gerard Pique. Quique Setien introduced new signing Martin Braithwaite after 69 minutes and he raced through on goal, only for Courtois to make another huge save. Madrid then went down the other end and scored. Toni Kroos was given time to pick a pass into Vinicius, who beat Ter Stegen with a shot that deflected off Pique. Mariano then ran past Samuel Umtiti and beat Ter Stegen with a shot from a tight angle.