Real Madrid extend Barça’s woes with ‘Clásico’ win

Madrid are top of the Spanish league with a 3-1 victory in the first ‘Clásico’ of the season, and just three days after the Catalan club’s Champions League hopes were all but over, they dealt a painful blow to Barcelona. rice field.

Karim Benzema and Federico Valverde scored in the first half, with Rodrygo adding in the second half’s stoppage time.

The rivals entered the game tied on points, with Barcelona leading on goal difference, but the champions made the decisive point.

Last season, when the teams last met at the Bernabéu Stadium, they embarrassed by an embarrassing 4-0, it was Madrid’s sixth win in their last seven ‘Clásicos’.

Sunday’s loss was another frustrating setback for Barcelona after Wednesday’s 3-3 draw at home to Inter Milan, effectively knocking them out of the Champions League with two games left in their group.

League top scorer Robert Lewandowski missed Barça’s biggest chance in the first half by missing high up near the goal line.

Madrid took advantage of Barcelona’s defensive struggles, with Benzema scoring the opening goal in the 12th minute. The French star also had a goal disallowed for offside in the second half.

Valverde took the lead in the 35th minute with a low shot from outside the area before Ferran Torres scored in the 83rd minute.

Substitute Rodrygo scored a penalty in injury time to give Madrid the win.

Elsewhere in La Liga, Real Sociedad beat Celta Vigo 2-1 to complete their seventh straight win in all competitions.

Asier Illarramendi and Igor Zubeldia scored goals in each half for Sociedad, who moved into fourth place.