Real Madrid is simply a cut above FC Barcelona this year. The Merengues went into the Camp Nou and showed their class in a 2-1 El Clasico win, scoring first and holding off a Barcelona team that struggled to create chances. Real Madrid goes top of the La Liga table, while Barcelona is in 9th place, five points behind their rivals.
Barcelona started strong with Ansu Fati leading the charge and the match could’ve taken a turn in Barcelona’s favor when U.S. international Sergino Dest had the goal at his mercy, but skied his attempt in the 25th minute. That left the door open for Real Madrid, which began to exert more pressure through the runs of Vinicius Junior, whom Barcelona struggled to contain.
It was Vinicius who started the counterattack that led to Real Madrid’s opener in the 32nd minute. He fed compatriot Rodrygo, who then slotted a through ball into space for David Alaba, who was making a marauding run into the attack from his center back position. Alaba applied a striker’s finish past Barcelona goalkeeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen.
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