Real Madrid welcomed Barcelona to the Bernabeu with a lot to lose at the top of La Liga, but Los Blancos exited with everything to gain thanks to goals from Karim Benzema, Federico Valverde, and Rodrigo.
Instead, it is Barcelona who has left Madrid with yet another black eye, following the midweek Champions League disaster that will almost certainly see them eliminated from Europe’s premier tournament. Xavi’s woes are exacerbated by the fact that he committed identical defensive errors against Inter only days before.
Real Madrid takes control of the La Liga title race with the win, moving three points ahead at the top of the standings. Before start at the Bernabeu, Barcelona was only ahead on goal differential.
Karim Benzema scored the first goal for Real Madrid after only 12 minutes. He made room for others on the club as big-game hero Federico Valverde increased the advantage after halftime with a superb long-range goal.
After halftime, Barcelona pushed hard to get back in the game, and Real Madrid hung on until Ferran Torres brought the visitors back within one after great work from Ansu Fati. Yet it was not to be, as Real Madrid ran to victory as Rodrygo deposited a dubious penalty in stoppage time to secure the points.
Real Madrid vs. Barcelona final score
First half
Real Madrid 2-0 Barcelona
Second half
Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona
Goals:
12th min — RMA — Karim Benzema
35th min — RMA — Federico Valverde
83rd min — BAR — Ferran Torres
90+1 min — RMA — Rodrygo (pen)
