Real Madrid moves clear to the top of the LaLiga table after the Clásico win at the Santiago Bernabéu. Ancelotti’s men defeated Barcelona thanks to goals from Benzema, Valverde and Rodrygo, and extended their unbeaten run this season to 14 games. Madridistas become thus the only unbeaten side in the league. With a very demanding schedule like the October’s one, Real Madrid is doing pretty good until now: Three victories and two draws, top of La Liga and qualified for the next stage in Champions League.
Los Blancos won the battle in midfield, where Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Fede Valverde dominated their rivals to help them get off to a good start which eventually proved the difference. Real Madrid players were more clear and accurate in their gameplay and the team looked way more compact compared to the Catalans. The strong start of Madrid and generally a very good first half made the difference. Despite the improvement of Barcelona as the minutes passed, it looked almost impossible to have a result other than Real’s victory.
The Clásico kicked off with both teams looking to control possession and it was Barcelona who fired the first warning shot with 5 minutes gone through a long-range effort from Raphinha. Real Madrid hit back soon after after Mendy made a run down the left before playing in Vini Jr. whose shot narrowly missed the target. The Whites were comfortable and took the lead in the 12th minute. A swift counter-attack initiated by Kroos with a great pass to Vini Jr.. The Brazilian broke clear of the Barcelona defense and cut inside the area but his shot was blocked by Ter Stegen, before Benzema picked up the rebound and made it 1-0.
The tempo dropped as the minutes ticked by and Barça created the occasional chance. The best chance came in the 25th minute when Lewandowski shot over at the back post after a cross from Raphinha. Ancelotti's men injected more pace into the game and Valverde doubled the lead on the half-hour mark. A team goal involving Vini Jr, Tchouameni, Mendy and the Uruguayan, who struck a right-footed shot just inside the post from the edge of the area, leaving Ter Stegen with no chance.
The script remained the same following the restart, as Real Madrid enjoyed two fine chances to extend their lead to 3-0. First, Kroos fired over the crossbar, before Benzema had the ball in the back of the net with the very next move, a gorgeous curling effort which was ultimately ruled out by VAR for offside against the Frenchman (52nd minute). Ancelotti’s team had the azulgranas pinned back now and with 70 minutes on the clock, Benzema shot high after a nice piece of link-up play between Modrić and Valverde.
As the game moved into the closing stages, Barcelona pushed up in search of a goal. Ansu Fati tried his luck from outside the box but his strike flew over, before Ferran Torres did cut the deficit on 84' (2-1). However, Madrid sealed the game in the closing stages. Minimal contact from Eric Garcia brought Rodrygo to the ground and this time the VAR was quick to advise the referee that a foul had been committed. The referee checked on the monitor and realized Barca’s defender had stepped on the young Madridista’s foot. The Brazilian, who had replaced Vini Jr., converted from the spot to make it 3-1: it was game over for Xavi’s men.
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