Real Madrid dominate El Clásico and top the La Liga table

Sunday afternoon offered one of the most watched matches in world football. Real Madrid and Barcelona, the two leading teams in the table with 22 points, played at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in the Spanish capital in the 9th round of La Liga. In the end, it was the club from the capital that won the encounter.

The White Ballet, whose goal was again guarded by Ukrainian Andriy Lunin instead of the injured Thibaut Courtois, opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Kroos, despite a foul by his opponent, slid the ball to the fast-running Vinícius Júnior, who still failed to beat goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen. However, Karim Benzema’s precise shot from the centre of the box was saved.

Robert Lewandowski had a great chance to equalise in the 25th minute when he slipped in the small area and shot over the crossbar. However, it is likely that the eventual goal would have been called back by VAR for offside.

Ten minutes later, Real punished the confusion in the Barcelona defence. Federico Valverde scored from outside the penalty area with a fierce cross to the left post, unguarded by anyone, assisted by Ferland Mendy.

In the 52nd minute, Benzema scored his second goal, but prematurely. The Frenchman’s offside was to blame. Otherwise, however, the spectators in the stadium and on the TV screens continued to watch a game of even football.

The Blaugranas were unable to get any dangerous finishes. The only exception was a shot just wide of the right post by Ansu Fati in the 78th minute. As the match drew to a close, the fights and fouls from both sides became fiercer.

83. the final minute did bring a reduction in the scoreline. The goal was scored by Ferrán Torres, who was played in by Lewandowski after a cross into the box from the left. Moments later, 19-year-old Ansu Fati missed another interesting opportunity.

The visitors’ hopes of an equaliser were dashed by a penalty hook from García, which was converted by Rodrygo. It was the fouled player who then sent his penalty kick behind ter Stegen’s back, although the German goalkeeper got a touch on the shot near his left post.

Real Madrid thus dominated the first El Clásico of the season with a 3-1 home win. It also moved into first place in the league standings three points ahead of its rival Barcelona.

The team led by Carlo Ancelotti awaits Elche in the next round of Spain’s top competition on Wednesday at 9pm. Xavi’s side will face Villarreal, in the top half of the table, a day later at the same time.

Source: Nova Sport 3, La Liga