La Liga got more interesting as Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 in the El Clasico. Karim Benzema put the champions ahead in just 13 minutes while Kroos’ freekick was the winner. Consolation goal for Barcelona was scored by Mingueza.
Barca dominated possession in most part of the game but were unable to stop Real’s counterattacks. They themselves couldn’t find the first goal of the match. Barcelona finally fell behind as Lucas Vazquez’s low cross was netted home by a backheel from Benzema. Real attacked again as Kroos’ free kick bounced off Sergino Dest’s back into the net.
Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was completely clueless. Valverde tore down Barca’s left side and smacked the far post. Vazquez too attacked Barca’s defence as he pounced on the rebound then shooting straight at Ter Stegen. Barca hardly troubled Real before Lionel Messi reached the far post straight from a corner at the end of the first half.
Messi had another better chance from inside the field, but he couldn’t beat Thibaut Courtois. Eventually, Barcelona found a way to come back in the game via Mingueza. In another attack Mingueza almost equalized.
Zinedine Zidane’s side climbed to the top of the table, joining Atletico Madrid on 66 points. Barca moved down to third position.
