The punch decides El Clásico

The punch decides El Clásico

Real Madrid is still immersed in a state of happiness and soberly takes the duel against a Barça that widens its emotional wound

MADRID, 16 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Real Madrid beat FC Barcelona (3-1) this Sunday to win El Clásico and become the sole leader based on 'punching', with goals from Karim Benzema, Fede Valverde and Rodrygo, from a penalty, to reinforce their status of happiness and deepen the wound of a depressed Barça team with a somewhat poor approach, which only came close to victory in the last ten minutes with a goal from Ferran Torres.

Carlo Ancelotti's men, who won the tactical game against Xavi, hid behind their chameleonic style to make the most of their few dangerous approaches on Ter Stegen's goal. Boosted by some stellar Toni Kroos and Fede Valverde, owners of the midfield, the meringues come out reinforced from a Clásico that was always closer to the white shore than the azulgrana.

Benzema's goal before the first quarter of an hour of play laid the foundations for a complete and serious game for Real Madrid, who found their lifeboat at 2-0 before half-time to navigate safely and confidently for the remainder of the match. The solid victory puts the madridistas at the top with 25 points, three more than Barça.

The Catalans were always in tow in a gray meeting. Xavi chose De Jong to the detriment of Gavi, but the experiment did not work, until with 10 minutes remaining Ferran, who came on in the second half, brought the azulgranas closer to a draw that did not come and Rodrygo's final 3-1 did .

After the typical minutes of scoring, with the ball in hand for the azulgranas and Real Madrid withdrawn and crouched, Barça was the first to try with a long shot from De Jong that Lunin easily caught. The Whites responded with a shot from Vinicius inside the area that hit a defender and grazed the post.

As the minutes went by, the merengue team grew, with much more clarity and sense when it came to moving the ball and advancing lines. That superiority translated into a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute with a goal from Benzema. Real Madrid recovered the ball after a good play by Pedri, and after an effort by the German 'diesel' Kroos, Vinicius stood alone against Ter Stegen.

The Brazilian was unable to complete his ride due to a bad last touch, but the clearance fell to Benzema, who with his left foot and now without a goalkeeper, did not fail. The Frenchman's first goal at the Bernabéu this season, closing a losing streak in front of goal since August 28.

The whites understood that from then on another game would begin, and they took a step back from the pressure, to base their defense on the famous low block. Not having the ball didn't seem to bother the madridistas, who are used to this type of match and waiting for the best opportunity to 'kill' the Catalans. However, the Catalan team began to trust and grow based on long possessions. Pedri hit a wall with Raphinha and the Brazilian's pass could not be finished off by Lewandowski in the 25th minute.

It was the beginning of a white slump, somewhat more indecisive and less forceful behind, unable to leave their field with the ball under control. Barça had a couple more chances, but without making the Ukrainian goalkeeper work. But in the worst merengue moment in El Clásico, the 'punch', like so many other times, sided with Real Madrid, who made it 2-0 in an isolated play.

The culé defense cleared poorly and the ball reached Vinicius, who swung around until he found Mendy on the left. The side was the smartest in the class to see Valverde on the front, who shot powerfully and low, impossible for Ter Stegen.

Already in the second half, the order of Real Madrid continued as the protagonist. Benzema made it 3-0 after 50', but his goal with a left-footed cross shot invalidated the Frenchman's offside. The Whites smelled blood, even with the Olés from the stands in one of the best White combinations of the match, boosted by an excellent Kroos in construction and defensive tasks.

With the changes made to the two teams, Barça found a prize, without much effort, with 10 minutes remaining. Ferran, who replaced Raphinha, finished off a great play by Ansu Fati down the left. The azulgranas got into the game, with a somewhat unfocused Real Madrid. The last push was insufficient, even more so when a penalty that the VAR reviewed on Rodrygo by Eric García was converted by the Brazilian winger to make the final 3-1 and sentence El Clásico.

--RESULT: REAL MADRID, 3 - FC BARCELONA 1 (2-0, at halftime)

REAL MADRID: Lunin; Carvajal (Rüdiger, min.88), Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Tchouaméni, Kroos, Modric (Camavinga, min.78); Valverde, Benzema (Asensio, min.88), Vinicius (Rodrygo, min.85).

FC BARCELONA: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Koundé, Eric Garcia, Bucket (Jordi Alba, min.60); Busquets (Gavi, 60 mins), De Jong, Pedri (Kessie, 83 mins); Raphin (Ferran Torres, min.60), Lewandowski, Dembele.

1-0, min.12: Benzema.

2-0, min.35: Mendy.

2-1, min. 83: Ferran.

3-1, min.91: Rodrygo, penalty.

--REFEREE: Sánchez Martínez (C.Murciano). He admonished Vinicius (min.30) and Modric (min.75), at Real Madrid, and Gavi (min.81), by FC Barcelona.

--Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.