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Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Karim Benzema ensure all 3 points for Real Madrid in the first El Clasico of the season against Barcelona. Neymar gave the lead to the away side in the 4th minute of the game. However, some poor defending from the Catalans meant Real Madrid could comeback into the game and take the lead inside 50 minutes of the game.
Barca manager Luis Enrique decided to give Luis Suarez his first start for Barcelona as he return to professional football from a long-term ban. The Uruguayian made an instant impact as he created the first goal with a sublime cross to Neymar, who scored with his first touch inside the box.
However from that very moment, it was a Real Madrid as the home side made the most of their counter-attacks. Barcelona predictably dominated the possession throughout the match but it were their defensive errors that decided the match over the next 60 minutes of the game.
Madrid got a goal back after Gerard Pique was booked for a handball in the box. Ronaldo stepped up to take the penalty and he scored to take his tally to 21 goals for the current season. It was also the first time Barcelona conceded a goal in this La liga season.
Later, inside 5 minutes into the second half, Pepe scored a header off a Toni Kroos corner to make it 2-1 for the home side. The goal emphasized the home side’s ability to make the most of their limited chances. Moreover, it was Barcelona’s poor marking during the set-pieces that will disappoint Luis Enrique the most when he sits down to analyse the game.
After hitting the post and the crossbar in the first half, Karim Benzema scored from a neat counter-attacking move as the home side bagged all 3 points in the 61st minute of the game.
With this win, Real Madrid go up to second place in the table and just one point off the leaders Barcelona in the La liga standings. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 16 times already this season and is way ahead of his competitors in the La Liga scoring chart.
You can watch all the goals and highlights in our min-by-min Live update and commentary of El Clasico here
