Real Madrid secured the bragging rights in the first ElClasico of the season as they defeated FC Barcelona 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
ElClasico
Result: Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona
Date: 16 October 2022
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Madrid made three changes from their narrow win over Getafe, as Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Ferland Mendy were all recalled.
Blaugrana, on the other hand, brought five new players from their slender win over Celta Vigo, as Eric Garcia, Jules Kounde, Sergi Roberto, Frenkie de Jong and Ousmane Dembele returned.
Los Blancos had a perfect start after Benzema fired them ahead on 12 minutes with a strike from a rebound after goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen denied Vinicius Junior in a one-on-one.
Barca looked to squeeze Madrid in their own half and should have levelled matters on 25 minutes after Raphinha played a decisive square pass that needed a tap-in at the back post but Robert Lewandowski's out-stretched shot sailed over the crossbar from point-blank range.
Carlo Ancelotti's charges remained a threat on transitions and Federico Valverde doubled their lead ten minutes before the interval with a low drive from the edge of the box after an offload by Mendy.
Madrid had a bright start in the second stanza and Benzema thought he had made it 3-0 seven minutes from the break after curling a low strike into the bottom corner but the goal was disallowed for a marginal offside.
Xavi reached to his bench for solutions of coming back into the game on the hour-mark, as Ferran Torres replaced Raphinha upfront and attack minded Gavi came on for Sergio Busquets in midfield.
The Catalan side had prolonged spells of possession, as Madrid dropped deep in their own half and Anssumane Fati came close to reducing the deficit 16 minutes before time with a cracking strike that missed the post inches wide.
As Barca gained momentum, Torres eventually pulled a goal in the last seven minutes with a tap-in at the back post after after a low cross by Fati.
The visitors remained on the front foot and Fati missed a sitter in the box a couple of minutes later and Blaugrana were punished on a counter-attack at the death after the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) awarded Los Blancos a penalty for a foul by Garcia who stamped on Rodrygo's foot in the box.
Rodrygo sealed the deal for Madrid after smashing the spot-kick past ter Stegen and Los Blancos went three points clear at the top of the log.
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