Real Madrid defeated Barcelona on their home soil with goals from Karim Benzema, Federico Valverde, and Rodrygo Silva de Goes.
Having accumulated 25 points, the White Angels are the league’s top team. After nine league games in the 2022/2023 season, Barcelona is three points behind the champion of Sunday’s El Clasico.
Despite their defeat last season, they were the La Liga champions, and they won against Barcelona to climb to the summit of the league table with some more games to be played.
Karim Benzema, a Ballon d’Or contender, scored the home team’s goal in the 12th minute. He rebounded after Vinicius Junior’s shot was stopped by the goalie.
Through the typically deadly striker Robert Lewandowski, the visitors missed a fantastic opportunity to tie the score.
Real Madrid took a two-goal lead into halftime courtesy of a swift counter in the 35th minute that split Barcelona’s defence. Federico Valverde was given space on the edge of the box and unleashed a ferocious shot that Marc-André ter Stegen was unable to save.
In an attempt to tip the scales in his favour, Xavi Hernandez made three substitutions around the hour mark, bringing in Ferran Torres to replace Raphinha, Alejandro Balde to replace Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets to replace Gavi at the 60th minute.
Ansu Fati sped past his marker on the left before hitting a low cross to the back post, where Ferran Torres was ready to slide home. With Barcelona’s chances of a comeback diminishing, two of their substitutes combined to cut the deficit and disperse panic across the Bernabéu.
After winning a penalty in stoppage time after being tripped by Eric Garcia in 90+1 minutes of the game, the Brazilian, Rodrygo, stepped up himself and drove home from 12 yards, sealing his side’s fifth head-to-head victory in the last six La Liga meetings.
Ancelotti declared in the press conference at the Bernabéu after Real Madrid’s victory over Barcelona. He explained, “The first half was the key. We were the better team and were strong and clinical. We managed to play out from the back well because they were pressing high up the pitch. We played with confidence, playing out from the back, and we were strong up front. Everybody was engaged, and that was key to winning the game”.
