Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 2-1 on Saturday night in the first Clasico of the 2013-14 season.
Barcelona dominated the opening of the game with its trademark passing game and forced Madrid to retreat constantly. The team eventually capitalized in the 19th minute when Andres Iniesta found a breaking Neymar on the left wing. The Brazilian slipped the ball through two Madrid defenders and gave Barcelona a 1-0 lead. The goal was his first ever in a Clasico.
Messi nearly made it 2-0 almost on a break down the right wing, but Pepe came back to defend against him and the Argentine superstar fired the shot wide.
If the first half belonged to Barcelona, there was no doubt that Madrid were the superior side in the second 45 minutes of the game. The team came out with more energy in the second half and nearly capitalized in the 57th minute when a giveaway near the Barcelona box went to Luka Modric who slotted it for a breaking Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese superstar nearly scored his ninth goal of the season, but goalie Victor Valdes made a terrific save to preserve the 1-0 lead. On the ensuing corner kick, Angel Di Maria fired a shot from outside the box that Valdes caught. Neymar nearly gave Barcelona a 2-0 lead on a break down the left wing, but defender Raphael Varane made a sweeping play to kick the ball away from the Brazilian. At the 65th minute Di Maria nearly scored off a slick passing playing in the midfield, but the ball got away and went straight to Valdes. Benzema nearly scored on a glorious strike, but hit the cross bar in what would have been the tying goal.
However, all of their efforts were in vain as substitute Alexis Sanchez chipped a shot over Lopez to give Barcelona a 2-0 lead in the 78th minute. Jese Rodriguez scored one for Madrid in the 90th minute but it was too little too late.
With the win, Barcelona snaps a five-game winless streak against Madrid dating back to last year's Spanish Super Cup win at the Camp Nou in September.
Watch Video Highlights HERE.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
