Backheel flick sets up Real Madrid’s El Clasico victory
■ In La Liga’s El Clasico, hosts Real Madrid led Barcelona on 13 minutes when Karim Benzema met a Lucas Vazquez cross from the right to expertly score with a backheel flick.
It was 2-0 on 28 minutes when Toni Kroos pinged a freekick around the wall. It deflected off both Sergino Dest and Jordi Alba and into the roof of the net.
With weather conditions worsening due to torrential rain, Barca pulled a goal back on the hour as Jordi Alba put in a cross from the left. Antoine Griezmann and Frenkie de Jong both missed it, but Oscar Mingueza didn’t and he put it into the net. There was drama on the 90-minute mark as Real’s Casemiro was given a second yellow card and was sent off. However, the home side held on for the win, which puts them joint top on 66 points with ATLETICO MADRID, who visit REAL BETIS tonight. Barca are one point adrift in third.
■ BAYERN MUNICH were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw at home by FC UNION BERLIN Going into the game seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, their lead was cut to five points as Marcus Ingvartsen’s late goal earned Union Berlin a share of the points. The reigning champions fielded a largely second-string side because of injuries, illness and the upcoming Champions League tie with Paris St-germain.
After a goalless first half, they went in front on 68 minutes through Jamal Musiala’s strong run and finish. However, with four minutes to go, the visitors levelled when Ingvartsen bundled home at the back post. RB LEIPZIG came back to form after last weekend’s defeat to Bayern as they easily defeated WERDER BREMEN 4-1 at the Wohninvest Weserstadion.
Dani Olmo put the visitors in front after a strong start to the contest, and a brace from Alexander Sørloth before the break effectively sealed the result. Bremen pulled one back after a penalty from Milot Rashica, but a strike from Marcel Sabitzer destroyed any hopes of a comeback.
■ Kylian Mbappe hit the goal train early on as PARIS ST-GERMAIN kept the pressure on Ligue 1 leaders Lille with a 4-1 success at STRASBOURG.
On 16 minutes, Mbappe opened the scoring with a low shot which agonisingly went through Strasbourg goalkeeper Matz Sels’ legs. A goal from Pablo Sarabia on 27 minutes and Moise Kean just on the interval extended PSG’S lead. Although Dion Moise Sahi pulled one back for Strasbourg just after the hour, Leandro Paredes completed the scoring. LILLE, who won 2-0 at METZ on Friday, remain three points clear of second-placed PSG at the top of the table.